The Words At Play is the upcoming first EP of original music by Austrian musician and filmmaker MJK (Michael J. Keplinger).
Preceded by its title track and Ember as singles, the five-track concept EP arrives everywhere on 31 July 2026. Emerging from a first song written during a flight to London, The Words At Play developed into a deeply personal and cohesive project—a reflection on time and language, memory and impermanence, presence and emotional distance.
Combining atmospheric art-rock with introspective songwriting, the collection moves through cinematic textures, layered harmonies and a sense of quiet intensity. It was written, performed and produced entirely by MJK.
The Words At Play was mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. The release is accompanied by The Words At Play: Visual EP, a short film of five interconnected music videos directed by MJK that moves between narrative fragments and subjective imagery, mirroring the EP’s themes.
- The Words At Play (03:31)
- Rêverie To Zoë (02:02)
- Ember (04:48)
- S8/Underground (04:08)
- The Words At Play Reprise (00:47)
15 Press Mentions
- darkstars.de, 20 August 2026
Michael J. Keplinger mit neuer EP & Kurzfilm [read] - Der Haubentaucher, 6 August 2026
Tonträger des Sommers [read] - mica – music austria, 3 August 2026
Michael J. Keplinger – „The Words At Play“ [read] - CityGuide Rhein Neckar, 31 July 2026
Michael J. Keplinger – Ember [read] - OÖ Nachrichten, 31 July 2026
Mit Herz und Leidenschaft / Kopfhörer #191: Ein Linzer und seine Leidenschaft [read] - Volume, 31 July 2026
Michael J. Keplinger. The Words At Play. [read] - European Indie Music Network, 30 July 2026
Formula Indie Sessions Interview with Michael J. Keplinger [read] - CityGuide Rhein Neckar, 25 July 2026
„Musik braucht Zeit, keine Abkürzungen.“ Michael J. Keplinger über Kunst, Klang und die Kraft einer Vision [read] - X-ACT Music Magazine, 27 June 2026
Michael J. Keplinger – neue Single „Ember“ und neue EP – „The Words At Play“ [read] - CityGuide Rhein Neckar, 26 June 2026
Zwischen Melancholie und Hoffnung. Michael J. Keplinger entfacht mit „Ember“ ein stilles Feuer. - Volume, 26 June 2026
Michael J. Keplinger. Ember. [read] - Volume, 22 May 2026
Michael J. Keplinger. The Words At Play. [read] - CityGuide Rhein Neckar, 22 May 2026
Michael J. Keplinger – The Words At Play - indienoxzine, 22 May 2026
On This Track #14: Michael J. Keplinger – “The Words At Play”. Language as Reflection, Time as Atmosphere. [read] - OÖ Nachrichten, 29 September 2025
Wie ein Linzer Musiker in die legendären Abbey Road Studios kam [read]
Related News
- ‘The Words At Play’ EP out 31 July 2026
1 July 2026 - New Single ‘Ember’ out 26 June 2026
15 June 2026 - New Single ‘The Words At Play’ out 22 May 2026
9 May 2026
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