Fritz Kalkbrenner drops brand new album

Growing up in 80s East Berlin, Fritz Kalkbrenner arrived up as part of the first generation to witness the city’s evolution from a divided city into a global cultural hub. Drawn to the flourishing electronic music scene, he was inspired by the energy of Berlin techno in the mid-90s and soon became a defining figure in the sphere.

He first gained recognition in 2008 when he collaborated with his brother Paul on the now-legendary track “Sky and Sand” for the cult movie Berlin Calling, a song which has since clocked over two hundred million streams. In the years following, he launched himself as a solo artist, blending his deep, emotive voice with his love for grooving atmospheric beats. His 2010 debut album, Here Today Gone Tomorrow, was released to critical acclaim via the Suol imprint, firmly planting him on the map of must-watch producers on the rise, while two years later, he dropped his top 10 record, Sick Travellin’.

Over the years he’s delivered an incredible catalogue of works, including multiple charting singles and record, earning him extensive radio support and TV broadcasts. In 2018, looking to refresh his creative direction, he revisited his underground roots with the release of Drown. This album brought him back to the deep, pulsating house music that had first inspired him, signalling his return to the core of his musical identity. Shortly afterward, he launched his own label, Nasua Music, creating a platform to work with a new cohort of talented producers and expand his sound even further.

Now, Kalkbrenner’s latest album, Third Place, showcases his most refined and ambitious work to date. This twelve-track record takes his production and songwriting skills into new sonic landscapes while staying anchored to the soulful, dancefloor-driven aesthetic that’s defined his enduring musical output. Building on the success of his Gold and Platinum-certified hits, Third Place dives into house, techno, breakbeat and dance pop, framing the concept of the “third place,” a sociological idea representing communal spaces that encourage creativity, community and emotional release.

Kicked off with dance pop cut “It Ain’t Over,” the record gets underway with an infectious sound of velvety vocals gliding over upbeat synths and euphoric club energy. “High Line” brings shuffling beats and spacey synth textures that gradually build into an intricate dance-focused outing packed with smooth melodic touches and invigorating vibes. On “Playing Games,” Fritz links up with singer Coach Harrison to serve up a vocal-driven house banger brimming with bouncy bass lines, snapping drums and instantly catchy vocal hooks. As the only collaboration on the album, the two artists collide to knock it out of the park on this alluring jam.

Watch the music video for Playing Games below

Other highlights on the release include the spectacular “Into the Night” which sees Fritz’ rich voice shine above shimmering piano tones and the hop of breakbeat rhythms, delivering a stunning dance music experience that’s impossible not to love.

Watch the music video for Into the Night below

The techno-tinged “Home” offers a vibrant synth affair built with clapping beats and an array of synths spinning memorable melodies while sparse vocal samples pepper the mix with colourful bursts. Closing the album with “See You Again,” Fritz Kalkbrenner crafts a sound that’s at once energising and hypnotic with mesmeric rhythms, hazy vocal elements and slick synth work to craft an epic finale to his outstanding new record.

Listen to Third Place below