Schatten – Deltawelle

The new single ‘Schatten’ feels like a night-time stroll through the city: cool, direct, yet full of little departures. Between post-punk drive and indie new wave sparseness, the band builds a sound that isn’t overloaded, but hits exactly where it hurts and at the same time moves on. The voice sounds close, the arrangements breathe; rhythm and guitar push forward without overpowering. Lyrically, a quiet rebellion shimmers through, a distancing from expectations without becoming loud. Presented live in Vienna and on tour through Prague, Brno, Dresden and Leipzig, the song unfolds its strongest effect in the space between fatigue and departure. ‘Schatten’ is not an escape into darkness, but a small, determined step forward.

Weil es immer so ist – Ben Robertson

Ben Robertson legt mit ‘Weil es immer so ist’ einen Song vor, der, obwohl er Schmerz, Verlust und die Narben des Lebens ungeschönt zeigt, zugleich von Stärke, Mut und Zusammenhalt erzählt; die selbst produzierte Aufnahme verbindet melancholische Passagen mit kraftvollem Rock, wobei raue Gitarren und drängende Drums einen Klangraum schaffen, in dem die Stimme verletzlich und entschlossen zugleich wirkt. Wer zuhört, kann eigene Geschichten hineinlesen, denn die Texte lassen Raum für persönliche Deutungen, und gerade weil das Stück vom Wiederaufstehen nach Rückschlägen handelt, wirkt es tröstlich statt pathetisch; in seiner Schlichtheit bleibt es intensiv, ein Begleiter für schwere Nächte und ein leiser Anstoß, wieder aufzustehen, der Mut macht, sich zu zeigen, zu heilen und neu zu beginnen, trotz allem weiter.

Futura Now – KOBOYAGI

Futura Now is an energetic journey through time, space and pop culture. The duo’s new track combines driving breakbeats with shimmering synthwave pads, while Romane’s clear, almost ethereal voice narrates the first ‘close encounter’ between the alien protagonists and a human being. The song feels like a nostalgic nod to the 80s without ever sounding retro. Koboyagi delve deep into the treasure trove of Japanese pop aesthetics: manga drama, video game colours and, above all, the charming Sentai spirit of series such as X-Or or Bioman flash through the music and video. Futura Now is therefore not just a song, but a little sci-fi adventure full of humour, groove and visual imagination.

One Night, Whole Life – Dusan

With ‘One Night, Whole Life’, Dusan strikes a chord that immediately gets under your skin. The ballad combines acoustic warmth with a subtle pop-rock pulse and tells the story of a man who has to live with the consequences of a single wrong decision. The lyrics completely refrain from drama or justification, which is precisely why they come across as so credible. You can feel the weight of guilt, the pain of the other person and the realisation that lost trust cannot be regained. Memories of shared experiences are overshadowed by a final distance. The sober attitude in the bridge is particularly powerful: no search for redemption, only acceptance. A quiet, mature song about responsibility and loss.