Empire Art Rock 126: A Trip Through Germany’s Art Rock Scene (2018)
Alright, so let me tell ya about this album—Empire Art Rock 126. It’s one of those records that sneaks up on you. Released in 2018 by Empire-Music outta Germany, it’s got that artsy rock vibe that doesn’t hit ya over the head but kinda whispers, “Hey, stick around for a bit.” The whole thing is packed with tracks from various artists, all under the umbrella of art rock. Now, I’m not gonna lie, some songs are forgettable, but others? Man, they stick like gum on your shoe.
Take Plus Ultra, for example. This track kicks off the album and holy smokes—it grabs you right away. There’s this weird mix of heavy guitar riffs and these dreamy keyboard layers that just shouldn’t work together but somehow do. You know how sometimes music feels like it’s trying too hard to be deep or meaningful? Not here. It’s raw and unapologetic without being pretentious. Honestly, every time I hear it, I think of driving down an empty highway at night. Like, yeah, cliché imagery, but that’s what it does to me. Can’t explain it better than that.
Then there’s The Moon On A Stick. This one’s totally different—it’s kinda playful yet kinda haunting at the same time. The vocals have this almost spoken-word quality, like the singer’s telling you a story over coffee or something. And the melody? Super catchy, but not in a pop-radio kind of way. More like… you’ll catch yourself humming it hours later while doing laundry. That’s when you realize, oh crap, this song got into my brain.
Other tracks like Incomprehensible Intention and Phantom Twin are solid too, though they didn’t leave as big a mark on me. But hey, maybe that’s just personal taste. Overall, the album has this cool balance between experimental stuff and more grounded tunes. It never feels boring, even if some parts drag a little.
Here’s the random thought I had after listening to it again recently: Why don’t more people talk about German art rock? Seriously, we’re always hearing about British prog or American indie, but Germany’s been killing it in this genre forever. Maybe it’s because their stuff isn’t flashy enough? Or maybe it’s ‘cause everyone assumes Germans only make techno. Either way, albums like Empire Art Rock 126 deserve more love.
So yeah, check it out if you’re into music that makes you think but also bops your head. Oh, and next time someone asks you about underrated art rock, throw this one out there. They might look at you funny, but trust me—they’ll thank you later.
