Klaus Johann Grobe

After the one-two punch release of a head-turning limited 10-inch EP in 2013, followed by an equally mezmerizing 7-inch (the “Traumhaft” single, reissued by TiM in Feb of ‘14), Swiss duo Klaus Johann Grobe finally unveil their full-length offering, “Im Sinne der Zeit”. In their short existence, members Sevi Landolt (organ/synths/vocals) and Daniel Bachmann (drums/vocals) have concocted a unique sound that pulls equally from motorik krautrock, skittering post-punk, organic Brazilian grooves and glittering dancefloor strut that practically begs to MOVE you.

With the ability to conjure up the ghosts of Neu!, Bob James, Marcos Valle, Shuggie Otis & Stereolab in the span of a single tune. It’s an album that begs to be flipped over and over and over. “Im Sinne der Zeit” is a glorious creation, the kind of album that sounds and feels like it’s floating off the grooves, alternately swaying between the fluid, jazzy, & (yes) funky rhythms & cool, deliberate mechanized grooves that squeal & squiggle with the pulse of an electronic heart. Doubly strange is that although the duo sing exclusively in German, their tunes never seem anything less than warm & inviting, enveloping the listener in their welcoming embrace & come-hither wink of the dancefloor. From the opening throb of “Between the Buttons”, to the robotic two-step of “Koffer”, the duo never lessens the intensity. While they may cool it down a bit, the grooves stay warm to the touch, culminating in the albums’s final two tracks; the dizzyingly infectious & celebratory party-closer “Regan Raus” & the final tune, “Vergangenes” which eases the listener into that after-hours cab-ride home.

RIYL: Stereolab, Marcos Valle, Neu, ESG, Blank Realm, Moon Duo, Human League