Translated to “Collapsing New Buildings,” Einstürzende Neubauten returns with their latest project titled Rampen (apm: alien pop music), marking their first album since the pandemic. Raw and unfiltered, the album treads a fine line between minimalism and maximalism, challenging the modern conventions of music. Rarely falling flat, it’s evident that the band is exploring new territory with fearless abandon.
The album opener “Wie Lange Noch,” translating to “For How Much Longer,” sets the stage with its slow-building metallic anxiety, driven by thumping kick drums and resonant hits. It’s a piece that could easily serve as the score for a Denis Villeneuve film, evoking a sense of impending tension and uncertainty. As the track unfolds, the lead singer emerges over raw, unaffected guitar, adding a layer of vulnerability to the composition.
The second track, “Ist Ist,” follows a similar trajectory as the opener, with lightly thumping kick drums accompanied by a hypnotic, repetitive guitar riff. Once again, the vocals are delivered with raw intensity, punctuating the song with passionate bursts of emotion. Einstürzende Neubauten showcases their mastery of the build-up, crafting an atmosphere of unease and anticipation that is unparalleled in its uniqueness.
Just when you think you’ve grasped the album’s direction, the band takes a sharp turn with tracks like “Everything Will Be Fine,” which completely deconstruct the modern song structure. The beat is ominous and hypnotic, defying description and enveloping the listener in an otherworldly experience. The vocals, delivered as whispers, add to the sense of intimacy, as if the lead singer is standing right beside you. While this track may be inaccessible to some, it’s a testament to Einstürzende Neubauten’s disregard for mainstream accessibility.
The album truly shines on tracks like “Trilobiten” and “Tar and Feathers,” where the band allows the music to speak for itself. Here, they pare back the layers, revealing a raw emotional core that resonates deeply with the listener. The instrumental conveys as much, if not more, emotion than the vocals themselves, showcasing the band at their most intimate and vulnerable.
As Rampen progresses, it becomes a sonic journey through the depths of experimentalism and emotional intensity. Each track is a revelation, offering a glimpse into the inner workings of the band’s collective psyche. It’s an album that defies categorization, existing in a realm entirely its own—a bold declaration of Einstürzende Neubauten’s refusal to conform and their unwavering dedication to the art of sound
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