After a pandemic-ridden hiatus since March 2020, The Mic’s features editor, Roxann Yus, attempts to bring this series back to life, beginning with her future place of residence, Germany. Have a read of her picks for an introduction to German music.
1. GERMANY, GERMANY – Blackout Problems
My first pick for A Ten Song Introduction to Germany is quite self-explanatory. With a name so perfectly suited for an introduction to the modern German music scene, I had to go with a long-time favourite of mine, Blackout Problems. They are an extremely experimental project who’ve injected a wide range of influences into their sound. This track in particular is special because it confronts Germany’s difficult past and how it affects the youth who are growing up there. It also demonstrates their expertise with production and mixing, reminding me of a poppier, more fast-paced version of alt-metal outfit Bad Omens.
2. Berlin – Unprocessed
At this rate, my list will just gradually zoom into Germany until the last song is titled Alexanderplatz bench or something. I promise the place names will stop after this incredible progressive metal track. So, the best way to describe Unprocessed is a German version of Polyphia, who are, by the way, my favourite band to chill out and study to. This is one of their only songs with German lyrics which is a beautiful attribute of their discography and heritage, especially considering their top-5 cities by monthly listeners are all English speaking.
3. Drogenfrau – ITCHY
ITCHY are a contagious (as we’d expect with a name like that) and punky outfit that embrace both German and English in their music making. This song is super catchy and fun, with guitar riffs similar to the infamous Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
4. golden hour – JEREMIAS
Possibly the most magical music to come out of Germany right now, JEREMIAS is a dream-pop, emotionally-charged quartet who have the ability to extract out everything toxic inside of you and bring you peace and love. They make music to soundtrack main characters: whether you're going to get a coffee, going on a first date or reading a book in the park – this is the music you’ll forever associate with these small moments in your life.
5. Wer wir sind – BRUCKNER
In a similar feel-good strain to Jeremias and ITCHY, BRUCKNER are your staple indie-pop German band. Brimming with danceability, style, and happiness, these two brothers are keeping up with all of our favourite indie-pop outfits over in the UK.
6. verlierer – LUNA
Any heart throbs here? Any hopeless romantics? Well, LUNA gets it. This is the song you’d store in your playlist that is designed to cry to. It’s the song that begs for your heart and soul and tells you that you’re not alone. Literally translating to someone who’s lost something or someone, verlierer aims to give back to hurt and lost souls with the magic of music.
7. Mädchen – Haller
But maybe you’re not a hopeless romantic and you need a song to play whilst you’re on a date in the park, or you want to make a playlist for someone special. Well, Mädchen captures the rose-tinted glasses we wear when we’re in love, unable to see fault in our partner, and finding beauty in everything they are. Not only that, but this is also such a catchy, easy-to-learn pop song.
8. 10 Jahre – EMMA6
After a heavily dominated list of place names, rock/metal tracks and indie-pop songs, I’d like to offer you a very laid-back acoustic folk track. It is everything I look for in a road trip song, and probably something I’ll listen to repeatedly on-route to Germany in September.
9. Blockflötensolo – SHARI
I have a very accommodating place in both my heart and Spotify for the whimsical. And SHARI definitely ticks the boxes there. A satirical, parodic take on traditional lyric-writing, paired with spoken word and very random and interesting background sounds, this track is a confident female POV and experimentation with activism. Reminiscent of artists like Dry Cleaning, SHARI puts their own strong, yet again, satirical take on the messages in their music.
10. Only Fans – Domiziana
This track kind of comes full circle, mentioning both Berlin in the lyrics, but also by an artist who was born in Freiburg, the city that I’ll be moving to for my year abroad! Hailing over two million monthly listeners, Domiziana appeals to a plethora of people and preferences: the sex-positive, the culturally diverse, the admirers of pop, hip hop and electronic, as well as really long nails.
Roxann Yus
Edited by: Roxann Yus
Cover image courtesy of JEREMIAS via Genius.
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