KATRIANA was not a name I was familiar with until her third album was sent to me.
While listening, I realized that I recognized her voice from somewhere. After a few minutes of intense thinking, I remembered that KATRIANA contributed the songs “Mensch” (cover of Herbert Grönemeyer), “Weißes Papier” (cover of Element of Crime), and “Geile Zeit” (cover of Juli) on the album “Pussy Empire lifts off” by The Stewardesses. I was particularly taken with her interpretation of Herbert Grönemeyer back then.
Now KATRIANA is back on her own and has tried to bring a bit more pop into her acoustic songs with these ten tracks. Even though the effects and instruments are placed correctly, it is still thoroughly an acoustic album. KATRIANA's voice is dominant, almost too prominent. Sometimes, when she sings a bit louder, it feels too direct for me. The mixing comes across as almost intrusive. On the other hand, she certainly achieves one thing with flying colors: you actively listen to the songs. There is no escape.
The lyrics of KATRIANA are reflective, expressive, provocative, advisory, helpful, and very personal, human.
Lines like “Life is just too beautiful to avoid it” sound out of context, quite reminiscent of social worker pathos. And indeed, KATRIANA sometimes comes across like a cheerful amateur community college psychologist. But this also shows a certain blockage within oneself towards the songs, towards these personal lines. If you continue to listen to the lady from Hamburg and engage with her, you realize that you find yourself strongly reflected in the lyrics. It is certainly not music that plays at a men's night. It is more music that one listens to alone, which can provide strength and support. However, these are not primarily sad songs or love songs that KATRIANA sings, although she is extremely strong in those. For example, in “Nicht cool genug,” there are indeed critical voices regarding the frenzy of people, or in other words, the need for validation, for ego. She does not spare women in this. This song is a general reflection on how we live. We rush, buy, do fitness, put on makeup, all just to be cool. But why? Are we not losing what we are, personality? Humanity?
“Ballade für Menschen” is also very multi-layered. A strong, human song. What KATRIANA processes in detail remains hidden, but the message is crystal clear. Every person needs a home where they can find peace and quiet.
KATRIANA manages to be life-reflective in many songs without sounding accusatory. She does this beautifully in “Die Entdeckung der Müdigkeit.”
The ten songs are not meant to be listened to casually. That is not what KATRIANA wants. She has put in too much effort for that. She wants you to listen to the songs, understand them, and find yourself in them. She wants to achieve something with her songs. She wants to touch. She succeeds.
This album is not for people who like it quick and loud. It is music for the personal hours of everyone, and this kind of music probably resonates much better with women than with men.
“But of course” is a multi-layered acoustic album that demands and deserves full attention.
