February issue topics
Green Day
“We are the last rockers,” sings Billie Joe Armstrong on the new album “Saviors”. The fact that Green Day are still there 30 years after “Dookie” despite crises and hostility is a small miracle. A conversation with three self-critical and confident punks
By Max Gösche
The Last Dinner Party
In 2023 they played in front of the Stones. With their debut, The Last Dinner Party want to prove that they are more than just hype about Renaissance outfits and rock guitars
By Naomi Webster-Grundl
Kiss
The farewell to one of the biggest, most popular and most ridiculed rock bands in the world – and a Kiss lexicon from avatar to tongue
By Oliver Polak & Frank Schäfer
Generation Facebook
Facebook turns 20. Invented as a tow shop, the platform today shows what digitalization can do – and how it threatens democracy
By Tobi Müller
Nina Simone
“Mississippi Goddam,” Nina Simone’s first Civil Rights song, was released 60 years ago. Memories of a revolutionary singer
By Jens Balzer
RS report: With Metallica in the desert
How Saudi Arabia is trying to present itself as a cosmopolitan pop nation with the help of Metallica and Johnny Depp. A site visit
By Ralf Niemczyk
The Mix
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams now sees himself as a freelance indie artist – and remembers many special moments on stages around the world
By Markus Brandstetter
David Hedderman
Hedderman once played in a band with Conor O’Brien from Villagers – now he lives as a painter in Berlin and has recorded his solo debut
By Jan Jekal
Sarah Jarosz
Grammy-winning bluegrass musician Sarah Jarosz has finally arrived in Nashville
By Jörg Feyer
Q&A: Achim Reichel
The legendary songwriter talks about his poetry settings, his “Aloha heja he” and the Rolling Stones
By Jörg Feyer
Nicholas Mahler
On the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death, the Viennese comic artist makes us smile at surprising and malicious things
By Thomas Hummitzsch
HISTORY: The Smiths
40 years ago, after fabulous singles, The Smiths’ debut was released, one of the most celebrated debut albums ever
By Arne Willander
PLUS
Tom Odell, Bernhard Eder, The Vaccines and some more
Reviews
MUSIC
News from The Smile and 75 other reviews
RS GUIDE: Air
Sassan Niasseri’s showcase of the French pop duo
FILM, SERIES & LITERATURE
“Poor Things” and 18 other reviews
Playlist: New Noises in February
Bernhard Eder is inspired by folk-pop melancholy, Danielle Nicole by gospel and blues, Stoppok by the realization of “Who you really are” – and our February playlist is full of great music
Bernhard Eder “Impassable”
With “Golden Days” the Austrian songwriter has recorded perhaps his most beautiful album. “Impassable” is an impressionistic masterpiece, folk-pop melancholy in its purest form.
Jesper Lindell “Never Gonna Last”
The first name reveals his Nordic roots, Lindell comes from the Swedish town of Ludvika. His songs oscillate between Americana and soul – and don’t shy away from the necessary bit of pathos.
Danielle Nicole “Right By Your Side”
The music of Danielle Nicole from Kansas City is no less soulful. The singer and bassist bases her songs with blues rhythms and layers her melodies with gospel emphasis.
Lizzie No “The Heartbreak Store”
The New York songwriter, guitarist and harpist Lizzie No strikes completely soft tones on her new album. “The Heartbreak Store” is upbeat country-pop with bittersweet harmony.
Loretta “This Is The Band”
In addition to the many wonderful records by the Stuttgart band around singer and songwriter Andreas Sauer, “Between Planets” is another gem inspired by British synth and guitar pop.
Stoppok “Who you really are”
A highlight of Stoppok’s new album “Devil’s Kitchen” is this folk rock piece sung in a duet with Cäthe about the things that make us live and hope. But be careful: “You die when you can no longer listen.”
David Hedderman “Permanent Blush”
On his debut album, the Dublin-born and Berlin-based painter and songwriter David Hedderman develops wonderfully carefree folk songs reminiscent of Mike Scott and Lloyd Cole.