NEUZEITLICHE BODENBELÄGE

Genre-resistant Berlin duo Neuzeitliche Bodenbeläge return to Bureau B with Neue Kreise, a sharp sophomore LP that shakes a cocktail of musical influences into an irresistible blend of smooth, synthetic pop. If their 2020 debut Der Große Preis saw the N(ewer)DW angst of their early releases give way to bubbling boogie and kosmische funk, this 11-track outing dives headfirst into the deep blues and sunset hues of yacht rock and groove-laden jazz fusion, all while retaining their signature lyrical bite.

Finding its final form in nocturnal sessions in fall and winter 2024 – with off-seasons spent, as always, experimenting in a secluded hotel at Lake Constance—Neue Kreise (New Circles) sees Niklas Wandt and Joshua Gottmanns tracing fault lines from childhood torment to contemporary crisis, ultimately offering a cautious hope for healing. Themes of male bonding and bullying, suburban claustrophobia, and family tension manifest in tracks like "Bittere Gifte" and "Jahr Um Jahr", as the duo exorcise their demons over infectious electro-funk and space-age samba respectively. Elsewhere, the widescreen and emotive "Blei", "Neue Kreise", and "Landung" reflect themes of rebirth and new beginnings.

Sonically, this diverse disc showcases a broad spectrum of musical influences, drawing from the obscure German/Austrian records curated by their ever-present producer Ali Europa, alongside John Martyn's late ‘70s/early ‘80s era, the skyscraping synth-pop of New Musik, and the tropical jazz of Azymuth. Wandt and Gottmanns wear their influences proudly while retaining all the invention and irreverence which has been a mainstay of their work, packing their personality into every track.

"Durchzug" introduces this latest evolution with its dexterous blend of bass harmonics, intricate percussion, and expansive chords, all underpinning an infectious vocoder mantra. "Im Dunkeln" channels yacht-rock elegance, weaving Steely Dan-style sophistication with unstoppable jazz-funk momentum, while "Jahr Um Jahr" drifts on smoky sax and a sweet samba trip. The tension peaks in "Bittere Gifte", where stomping ‘80s machine-funk and psychedelic fusion breakdowns soundtrack a lyrical descent into suburban despair. Elsewhere, "Korsett Der Form" sparks infectious synth-pop joy, while "Nachlass Zu Lebzeiten" harnesses pure jazz-fusion power, complete with shuffling percussion and soaring guitar solos. "Blei" sweeps in with MTV-era widescreen pop, all windblown new-wave grandeur, while "Kalte Asche Und Orchideen" rides a fizzing punk-funk groove. The dreamlike "Puma" sways in a lullaby-like waltz, its jazzy cymbals and hypnotic bass drifting effortlessly, before cinematic closer "Landung" brings us back to earth. Fretless bass, chime-like synths, and tropical-tinged drum machines find a magical middle ground between Jamaican John Martyn and an impossibly happy version of The Cure.

Across its 11 tracks, Neue Kreise expands and refines Neuzeitliche Bodenbeläge's sound, propelling them into new circles, new spheres, and new sonic territory.

– Patrick Ryder