Alright, let’s dive into Drachen by Elfenstaub. This 2017 German banger from the Make Sense label is one of those albums that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. It's got that dance-pop vibe mixed with electronic and dance elements—basically tailor-made for anyone who loves losing themselves on the floor (or in their living room). Composed by Andreas Beiderwieden and Sven Greiner, with lyrics penned by Jens Fröhlich, this thing feels like a solid team effort.
Now, I gotta say, there are only two tracks here: “Drachen (Edit)” and “Drachen (Extended).” Yeah, not much variety track-wise, but honestly? You don’t need more. These guys managed to pack everything they wanted to say into these two versions without overstaying their welcome. And trust me, after hearing them, you’ll get why simplicity works so well here.
The “Drachen (Edit)” version hits hard right outta the gate. It’s punchy, clean, and doesn’t mess around. The beat grabs hold of you immediately—it’s one of those tracks where you can almost picture yourself at some underground club in Berlin, surrounded by neon lights and people vibing way too hard. There’s something hypnotic about how smooth yet driving the rhythm is. Plus, the vocals have this slightly ethereal quality, almost like they're floating above all the synths and basslines. That combo just sticks with you. Like, days later, I’d catch myself humming bits of it while making coffee or whatever.
Then there’s the “Drachen (Extended)”, which is basically the older sibling who refuses to leave the party. If the edit feels like a quick adrenaline rush, this one lets you settle in for the long haul. They stretch out the instrumental sections, giving the whole thing room to breathe. For me, this version really highlights the production chops. Around the three-minute mark, there’s this build-up that feels like waiting for fireworks—it teases you just enough before exploding into this lush soundscape. Super satisfying if you’re into layers and textures in your music.
What makes Drachen stand out isn’t necessarily its complexity; it’s how damn fun it is. Sometimes albums try too hard to be profound or groundbreaking, but Elfenstaub keeps it simple and effective. It’s unapologetically poppy but still has depth thanks to the tight production and catchy hooks. Honestly, it reminds me of those nights where nothing goes as planned, but somehow everything turns out better than expected.
And hey, fun fact—if dragons could DJ, I’m pretty sure this would be their go-to playlist. Just saying.
