At the beginning of the 1980s, they entered the German music scene with industrial noise and a nihilistic attitude on a cassette. The sound of singer Blixa Bargeld's more shouted than sung passages against a background of metallic noise, produced by rhythmic drumming on old scrap metal, was for years regarded as the template for experimental noise music of the time and provided the ultimate soundtrack to the gloomy Berlin of the pre-reunification era. Over the years, Einstürzende Neubauten turned to art, sounded a little more accessible musically and dressed more stylishly, but always retained the radical energy of the early days and the desire to experiment. Now they are announcing a new album with the single Ist Ist, which will be released in early April 2024. They are doing everything right again: jagged, minimalist and unmistakably themselves, they are announcing their 13th studio album.
The Munich-based Compost label announces the second edition of their successful and cleverly named compilation Future Sounds of Kraut. The collection once again presents the current state of the German downbeat scene, with illustrious names such as Thomas Fehlmann and Roman Flügel as well as Lucas Croon, resident of Düsseldorf's Salopn des Amateurs and member of the avant-pop band Stabil Elite. All in all, a very listenable album full of competently programmed tracks for the home or, later in the year, the party on the beach.
Becoming a mother inspired Samantha Poulter aka Logic1000 or DJ Logic to produce her cross-genre album Mother in her Berlin home with her partner Tom McAlister, who is also the father of her new child.
From her love of 90s pop and R&B as well as various electronic genres such as UK bass or garage and an extremely tasteful selection of collaborators, she formulates a self-confident and energetic homage to being a parent.
And another electronic musician in this month's Popcast: Daniela La Luz, whose often very classic house tracks have been in the crates of DJs such as Sven Väth, Laurent Garnier, Ken Ishii, Solomun and Marcel Dettmann for years, is now also releasing on her own label, Dimension of Being Human, which is committed not only to good music but also to her values: In a manifesto on her website, she states that she wants to help build a global society in which all people and living beings are united in peace, equality and respect. This reference back to the original values of the early 90s techno scene seems more relevant and important today than ever. We join in with enthusiasm.
Christin Nichols, formerly part of the ingeniously named duo Prada Meinhof, is now going solo. Her rock pop, sometimes reminiscent of Nena, is catchy, simple and will certainly work on a commercial level. On her new album Rette sich, wer kann, she addresses her long struggle with mental health problems, which she hopes to help destigmatize.
