Review: Alexander Winkelmann “Untitled”

30 Jan 2014 — Lukas Dubro

I met Alexander Winkelmann as a singer with guitar. He played one of our parties in spring 2012 and I liked his show immediately. His lyrics posessed a striking blended sort of humor. The audience laughed at his jokes while gleaning a deeper intention behind them. I remember that he didn't care about his singing and playing skills, he just sang and played. It was like he was saying, "I am Alexander Winkelmann, like me or not." And I liked it. I've only missed one show since.

Today, on his 30th birthday, Alexander is releasing a new EP.

He is not a singer with guitar anymore. In his last three records, he toyed with instruments ranging from oldschool 80s synthesizers to found objects like bubble wrap and effervescent powder. His arrangements became more complex, incorporating both pop and experimental elements. This same playful approach can be found on his latest record. What's different from the last releases, however, is that Winkelmann is singing in an invented language. Only a few words like "tengo" or phrases like "I don't mean to let it go" can be understood.

Despite the inability to understand exactly what Alexander is saying, the music is energetic and enthraling – the beats are quick, the guitars distorted, the synths aggressive, the volume high. Here we find the most arresting characteristic of his music, the intensity. Whether he is shouting into the microphone or jumping up and down stage, Alexander invests everything. This passion and power is something rare in contemporary pop music, where artificiality and irony are still an unfortunate standard. At his last concert at famous jetset techno club Kater Holzig, where Winkelmann has been working the door, he got the crowd dancing. Previously, I've seen an audience member so touched by this energy that they were brought to tears.

So whatever he does, you will get a hundred percent Alexander Winkelmann – no matter if he has a guitar, or a water bucket with him on stage.

Get the EP over here. Come to the release party at Das Gift in Berlin tonight!