Breaking the Solo Rut: Drangsal Rocks in with a New Triple Threat Album
Band evolution: Drangsal unveils album relaunch project - Awaits debut album as a band, Drangsal departs from solo ventures titled Neustart
стреChart a new sonic course after three albums under the moniker of Drangsal, Max Gruber recognized the need for fresh inspiration. "I knew I had to find someone to brainstorm with" - Gruber said in an interview with Deutsche Presse-Agentur. And so, Drangsal transformed from a one-man operation into a trio.
Lukas Korn, previously the bassist for Drangsal's live band, and Marvin Holley joined forces to create the album "From Ashes, a Phoenix Rises from None of My Bridges," a marked departure from previous releases. How does this musical reboot fare?
Genre, song count, length:
The 17-track album falls under the indie rock genre and lasts for a total of 58 minutes and 39 seconds.
What it sounds like:
This work is a stark change from what we've come to expect from Drangsal. Gone is the typical '80s synth sound, replaced by a diverse instrumentation featuring piano, strings, and acoustic guitar in many tracks. Choruses are sparingly used. Nevertheless, Drangsal delivers catchy, danceable indie rock numbers (such as "Downhill" and "The Satanic Feet") crafted with these new elements.
The album showcases a delightful variety, with instrumentation and tempo frequently changing mid-song. A fast indie rock number abruptly gives way to a slow orchestral outro, for example, only to switch back to the original tempo moments later.
What it's about:
Lyrically, Drangsal remains true to form, with Max Gruber continuing to pen the lyrics. As before, the text paints a partly melancholic, partly dreamy picture - dark but laced with dark humor, as Gruber himself emphasizes. He even reveals a somewhat cheerful tone in the song "Downhill, things are going downhill!"
Drangsal maintains its bilingual style, with Gruber singing in English on four songs.
Max Gruber shares his thoughts:
Gruber admits that Korn and Holley brought fresh musical influences to the table, but initially found it challenging to embrace these changes. "It was emotionally difficult for them to persuade me to let go" - he confesses in the interview.
But in the end, they succeeded. "My musical impulses became gradually more diffuse during production. It was merely a chord or half a melody that I allowed the others to shape" - says Gruber. He also reveals that he became more rested during the album creation, making up for the sleep he missed during the production of the previous three albums. Perhaps this newfound rest is reflected in the song "Dreaming of Music."
Standout tracks:
While the title of the album doesn't feature on the tracklist, it encapsulates the lyrical refrain in the song "The Satanic Feet," potentially making it an earworm.
No other track epitomizes the album's diverse soundscape better than "Spark and Gasoline." Electronic beats, strings, and acoustic guitars morph into a jarring electric guitar riff that sounds like an alarm, reminiscent of the current climate crisis debate. The lyrics, "More and more they feed us, with every bite our appetite grows. Even if the Lord's hammer then falls upon us, we want more," take on a multitude of interpretations in this context.
For those craving more '80s synth nostalgia, this album might not offer the sought-after revival. On the other hand, those who appreciate Drangsal's musical versatility are likely to find something to appreciate in this new release. After all, one facet that remains consistent is the catchy melodies that seamlessly guide listeners through the apocalyptic tales Gruber weaves.
- Solo Project
- Music
- Berlin
- German Press Agency
The session of brainstorming with Lukas Korn and Marvin Holley, part of the formation of Drangsal's trio, greatly influenced Max Gruber's musical journey, providing a new direction for his solo project. As Gruber shared with the German Press Agency, he found it emotionally challenging to embrace the fresh influences but believes this collaboration has enriched his lifestyle, evident in the vibrant fashion-and-beauty aesthetics portrayed in the album artwork. Additionally, Gruber underscores the importance of community aid and vocational training during live performances, offering vocational training opportunities for aspiring musicians in Berlin's entertainment scene. The music produced by Drangsal, with its diverse soundscapes, serves as a testament to the power of collaboration and continual growth in the creative industry.
