music

February 23, 2026

‘We watched 9/11 from the rooftop, blasting the music out’: how The Disintegration Loops became a requiem for the attacks

It is an epic piece of music that literally falls apart – and it perfectly captured the end-of-days chaos after the tragedy. Composer William Basinski and musician Anohni recall its febrile birth in New York’s avant-garde scene

‘We watched 9/11 from the rooftop, blasting the music out’: how The Disintegration Loops became a requiem for the attacks

TL;DR

  • William Basinski discovered 'The Disintegration Loops' while digitizing old tapes, noticing the music degraded as it played.
  • The music took on a new meaning as an elegy after Basinski witnessed the 9/11 attacks from his New York home.
  • Anohni, a collaborator and friend of Basinski, played a key role in spreading the word about the masterpiece.
  • The album's release coincided with Anohni's rise to prominence, with both artists exploring themes of ecological collapse and societal issues.
  • The Disintegration Loops was performed as a commemoration for the 10-year anniversary of 9/11 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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