Vor etwas mehr als fünf Jahren haben wir Nation Of Language mit ihrer äußerst faszinierenden Pixies-Coverversion von „Gouge Away“ erstmals im Popblog vorgestellt. Ein Jahr später veröffentlichte die Band aus Brooklyn ihr gutes Debütalbum „Introduction, Presence“ sowie 2021 das noch stärkere Zweitwerk „A Way Forward“ (#11 in den hiesigen Alben des Jahres). Nun sind die New Yorker bereits bei Album Nummer 4 angelangt, das die kühlen 80ies-Synthies etwas zurücknimmt und deutlich smoother klingt.
International Music – Guter Ort
Nice sound to start at 0:00. I like when songs have intros that have little to do with the rest of the song. Understated guitar work, tightly executed. It’s at a simmer but never a full boil — a good place be. A stoic, sunglasses-on type of verse paired with an emotional chorus — very nice. Good video, remarkable mustaches.
Gewalt – Ein Sonnensturm tobt über uns
Motorik. 0:10 these guitars are giving U2. Makes me wish I spoke German so I could also murmur over a beat like this. Fave part is the blurry sax man entering in the background. This video makes me think of Hanneke’s Funny Games, the Austrian version of course. Idyllic European vacation with an unsettling undercurrent of corrosion.
Edwin Rosen – Verschwende deine Zeit
Heavy synthwave energy to start. Nostalgic and sweet, feels meant for driving around with your friends. Insistent. Feel like this would crush on German TikTok.
Goldene Zitronen – Wenn ich ein Turnschuh wär
Whoa, I know these guys. My project Cutouts opened for them in 2019 in NYC at Mercury Lounge. I remember them playing this song, but I’ve never heard this studio version. This album art — do they have an album just called ‘Lenin’? I like the intermittent panting. Feels genuinely punk. NOT made for TikTok. Love them. 1:21 when the drums enter, instead of a hi-hat they seem to be using some sort of… chain? Extremely cool move. A loose, playful energy that I love. Nothing feels overworked. They convey so much with vocal tonality alone; I don’t have to understand the words to get the feeling.
Messer – Neonlicht
Very mysterious intro. So moody. Too moody? Very consciously new wave. Drummer seems to be on the brink of tears. Don’t mind the song, would be curious what it sounds like 1 or 2bpm faster. Frontman is doing a lot. Leather gloves is always a choice—not mandatory. Who are these blue eyed boys?
Das neue Album von Nation Of Language ist bereits erschienen:
Auf der Bühne:
18.11. Köln, Gloria
19.11. Hamburg, Übel & Gefährlich
21.11. Berlin, Columbiahalle,
22.11. München, Technikum
Frühere Ausgaben von German Blind Date:
– ASH
– Saint Etienne
– Big Special
– We Are Scientists
– Herman Dune
– Hot Chip
– die Wave Pictures
– Adam Ant
– Maximo Park
– The Stranglers
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