Herbert Grönemeyer - Das Ist Los (2023)

Herbert Grönemeyer is a phenomenon. He is the most commercially successful contemporary German musician, and every one of his albums since 1984 has reached the top spot in the local charts. He has achieved this feat eleven times so far. His 2002 megaseller "Mensch" is the second best-selling album of all time in this country, with over 3 million units sold. And of course, the numerous hits of the Londoner-by-choice are omnipresent on every German radio, at every party and - at the very least - in the VfL Bochum stadium.

But Herbert Grönemeyer has always been both chronicler and conscience of German society, with a fine nose for people's moods. Therefore, it is not surprising that his new album "Das ist los" addresses, among other things, the increasing division of society in recent years.

The singer juxtaposes this with songs like "Deine Hand," the album's first single. About this, Grönemeyer says: "I think that we were very isolated in recent years. That we had the feeling that we were very much on our own. Also because of the virus, which of course made us all very isolated. When you have the feeling that people are thinking about you, when you realize that you can only make it together and only by simply supporting each other and understanding that friendships and support are simply a great meaning of life and great opportunities - then it becomes easier on your heart and you feel secure and held."

In a similar vein is "Angstfrei," another advance single from "Das ist los." A song in support of the many young people who oppose the major problems of our time in various organized movements. Here, too, the message is: only together and with courage can we make it. Musically, the song is clearly oriented to the 80s, with a clear NDW feeling.

The mixture of contemporary pop music and pointed, sometimes personal and sometimes more general lyrics, is thus also on "Das ist los" simply typical Grönemeyer. Thus, the musician remains true to himself on his now 16th studio album.