Recommendations of the Editorial team
60 years ago they took Rolling Stones “Satisfaction” and let the pop explode. You can still hear the reverberation. Robert Rotifer feels the myth – and Wolfgang Doebeling Back then there was ahead of the radio when the Stones song was first sparked on the waves of the Pirate Stations.
Future of Music
The big special: 25 bands and artists: inside for the future. Below: Tell a Vision, Benson Boone, Rosmarin, Güner Künier and Emma Rose.
Ezra Furman
So much drama, so much urgency: Ezra Furman BRUCE Springsteen was considered a female indie rock version, but after a collapse she is now sorting up. And is still waiting for your Grammy!
By Birgit Fuß
Jonathan Lethem
The US author about the United States under Donald Trump, the difficulty of being an American, political art and why science fiction readers: inside the new world are well prepared.
By Maik Brüggemeyer
Other topics of the May issue
Features
His name stands for excesses, but is in 2025 Peter Doherty As sober and productive as ever: new album, new exhibition, a tour with the Libertines. Torsten Groß accompanied him through Berlin for two days and spoke to him about hope and reasons to continue.
Mix
She has 27 Grammys at home and likes to be invited to duet by colleagues like Robert Plant and Def Leppard: Alison Krauss Sings about courage in difficult times.
Also in the mix: Robert Forster, Bibiza, Billy Nomates and much more.
Reviews
After six years, Justin Vernon made a new album again: “Sable, Fable”. Jörn Schlüter also finds happiness in the story of suffering from Bon Iver.
The Rolling-Stone Guide is dedicated this time The Who. Her guitarist Pete Townshend turns 80 on May 19, but some hymns of his band remain connected to youthful storm and urge forever.
Playlist in May: Rare Trax
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of Prefab Sprout’s masterpiece “Steve McQueen”, we have put together some of the most beautiful Sophisti pop songs in recent history.
1. Jochen Distelmeyer “in the fever”
Jochen Distelmeyer’s love for Prefab Sprout is no secret. In this highlight of his last album, “felt truths”, Paddy Mcaloons’ influence is unmistakable.
2. Ashby “Horizon”
The electronically primed pop music of the Boston duo is truly sophisticated, from the enchanting vocals from Evelyn Pope to the smooth beats by producer William Cowie.
3. Marlon Williams “Don’t go back”
Originally more in folk, country and bluegrass, the New Zealand songwriter has long since felt comfortable in pop-realms, as this casually feathers show.
4. Alex Cameron “Country Figs”
Williams’ Australian colleague Alex Cameron, on the other hand, is committed to the Sophisti pop sound with skin and hair. Here it sounds like an indie update from ABC and Spandau Ballet.
5. Dislocation Dance “Road to Happiness”
Actually no heirs, but Sophisti-Pop representatives from the very beginning. This seductively light piece comes from the youngest album of the band from Manchester.
6. The Pearlfisher’s “London’s in Love”
If you melt the Grandzza of the Beach Boys with the romantic of Prefab Sprout, you get this piece of the Scots for songwriters David Scott.
7. Jens Lekman “Sipping on the Sweet Nectar”
The Swedish musician has already undertaken many excursions in Sophisti-Pop spheres, here he also dresses in luxurious Seventies-soul robes.