The German imprint is once again searching the globe for new and ground-breaking synth wave, minimal pop and electro wave. Début artists, established names, solo synthisists and more are represented across two 180gm pieces of vinyl.
[Release page] There is something clinically gloomy when it comes to this time of the year. The Summer is gone, and the clocks goin’ back don’t help. But there are labels out there absorbing the Wintery darkness and transforming it. Kernkrach are cutting through the grey clouds with Doppelhertz Vol. 2. 2007 saw the first volume of Doppelhertz land. Now, four years later, the German imprint is once again searching the globe for new and ground-breaking synth wave, minimal pop and electro wave. Début artists, established names, solo synthisists and more are represented across two 180gm pieces of vinyl.
The record starts as it means to go on, with the soulful analogues of Fiese Art opening. America’s Hyperbubble follow with some synth pop warmth. There are established groups peppered across the album. Daybed and then Italy’s Newclear Waves both offer up polished pieces of sublime and distant synth wave. Two artists from fellow Deutsche label Astro Chicken feature on Doppelhertz Vol.2. Sternrekorder, fresh from his début LP Wiessensee, serves up the poppy“On My Roof.” Risk Risk offer up a new piece of their 80’s electro wave in the form of “Modern Times.” The compilation introduces new names throughout. From the powerful synths of Slovenia’s Selecto and onto Cosmic Hula Radiators, heavy analogue pop is well represented. There’s a touch of Bochum Welt or Skanfrom to some of the sounds, echoed in the likes of Relative Kälte. With every turn new gold appears, like the D.I.Y. plink of Neonlichter im Ausverkauf sitting near fellow countrymen Microwelt. Strum Café from Sweden arrive with goth synth pop but the influences of the New Wave are never far away, as in the measured chords of GRX-8. The majority of tracks are short nuggets of synth reduction, such as Serbia’s Videododir. Grillhahnchen & Pommes dish up a peculiarly addictive piece of minimal pop before the curtain falls with the darker notes of Pertra Flur.
The world of modern synth wave can be a difficult to penetrate. There is a spread of artists out there, some making amazing music and others creating some horror Atari electroclash. It’s tricky to gleam the jewels from the junk. Doppelhertz Vol. 2 is the perfect filter. Kernkrach have searched high and low and discovered some absolute gems. New talent is proudly sat next to established artists and the overall result is a truly remarkable double album. Serious kudos to Kernkrach for the time, effort and love they put into each and every one of their releases. One of the best releases of 2011 without a doubt.
Doppelhertz Vol.2 is released on Kernkrach. [Release page]
