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When you leave the surface, what remains? An astonishingly self-assured mix, mostly of spoken word and punk rock. The transitions are seamless, so there’s always either instrumental music to celebrate or a text from SWISS about SWISS and how he sees the world. Compared to the previous album, the style has moved further away from hip hop. The frontman was never particularly technical as a rapper anyway; instead, his nasal punk voice fits well with the feeling, sometimes narrating, sometimes with simple sing-along choruses. You can feel the contrast when a guest raps along: The man is still firmly rooted in hip hop with his overly tight groove, while SWISS & DIE ANDERN are already doing their own thing.
And this music is versatile. Angry, sad, funny, even the outlaw ballads are believable from SWISS & DIE ANDERN. Especially the moments when the former reveals vulnerability away from childish bragging, speaking of his doubts and pains, are among the strongest on the album. And although the man with his rhymes and persona is at the center, the band actually deserves just as much attention in the band name. Everyone here knows exactly what they can do with their instrument, stepping forward at the right moment, then spending the rest of the time ensuring a rounded overall picture. Thanks to a well-organized production, the different moods are also well represented, whether it’s poppy or with the stolen RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE riff: Not everyone can jump between styles so confidently. A very unique kind of music emerges, which is more than just the sum of individual genres. Here, skill, courage, and joy of playing are present.
A fascinating band: They do some things wrong, but still get the essentials fundamentally right. The singer manages to hit the nail on the head with the lyrics at times, express feelings honestly and movingly at others, and sometimes string together lines like from a teenager's poetry album that make you scratch your head. The image wavers between inflated-elitist and punk-inclusive. And yet: The band has its own playing field, composed of various top-notch elements, on which they move precisely and confidently. The songs are versatile and inventive, and that’s probably why they stick in my head for days. Here is a well-functioning musical crew at work, and I’m excited to see what else will come from their direction. Crossover rocks!
VIDEOS:
Die Nacht / Pogo
Gangster vom Asylheim
Einz, Einz, Zwei
Ausgebombte Herzen
