Sankt Otten
Fernfahrer
Hidden Shoal Recordings

"Fernfahrer" sees Sankt Otten dust-busting their old files, being the first single off the re-release of their 2000 debut album, Eine Kleine Traurigkeit. Traurig? I don't agree. Dunkel. Yes, could be. Of course. That's what Sankt Otten's music is about. Songs from the shadows.

Sankt Otten master head Stephan Otten got me as a fan when I exposed myself to Wunden Gibt Es Immer Wieder, a truly delightful album. "Fernfahrer" is older stuff, but it still sounds brand new. Not that the turn of millennium was ages ago, well, Sankt Otten is somewhat the sound of Y2K angst. Or, rather angst-seeking by curiosity. All done with ice kool elegance, as it seems only Germans can do. "Fernfahrer" follows a hypnotic beat, a minimalist melody line and shows frost rimmed übercool. It's a pleasure, the good heart of noir-ness, and Sankt Otten challenge The Notwist, Lali Puna and Ms. John Soda of who's my German favourite band.

"Fernfahrer" is available for free download until the 23rd of September, when Eine Kleine Traurigkeit is released.

Copyright © 2008 Håvard Oppøyen