Sølyst – Lead

As the rhythmic powerhouse between krautrock/electronica/post-rock fusionists Kreidler, Thomas Klein has proved his chops as one of the most accomplished and creative drummers in the German music scene, and now he comes to the fore with his dub and techno-influenced solo debut as Sølyst. If krautrock as a movement was about taking organic, instrument-created sounds and building them into angular, avant garde sonic tapestries, then Klein's reinvention of the template simply does the same with digital technology and sounds.

The dub influence slows the pace to a narcotic, undulating throb on opener Pierbourg, which nods to the minimalist techno of Basic Channel and classic experimental synth music. Elsewhere, Polar combines glacial, echoing percussion with multi-faceted, bubbling synths; Magellan propels the tempo upwards with intricately interlocking toms and pulsing laser sounds; while Euphorica nods to the minimal broken beat patterns of two-step garage. Understated and avoiding wilful experimentation in favour of smooth, rounded compositions, it's a strong debut from Klein. [Bram E. Gieben]