Why you should listen to Kaiser Quartett's new album

The Kaiser Quartett from Hamburg is no ordinary band. Two violins, a viola and a cello. They became known as "the world's most expensive synthesizer" when they toured the world with piano virtuoso Chilly Gonzales. They just released their second solo album. Here is why you should put on your headphones.

?"I listen to the same music over and over again - and the algorithms don't help..." Last week, during a tasty g?zleme lunch in Berlin Kreuzberg, I had a discussion with colleagues from MR WOLF Consulting and VOK DAMS worldwide . We were wondering how the music we listen to finds its way to our phones. It turned out that many of us struggle to find new inspiration in our social media feeds and streaming services. The algorithms tend to show us what we already know and like to keep us glued to the platform. Many of us still love the music we listened to in school. We are not alone. It's science. Neuroscience.

Australian scientist Timothy McKenry writes in an article: “Academics use the term “open-earedness” to describe our willingness to explore new music. Across our lives this willingness waxes and wanes. Until around the age of 11, children are generally happy to engage with unfamiliar music. Early adolescence sees a reduction in open-earedness, but is accompanied by an intense increase in interest in music more generally. Open-earedness increases slightly during young adulthood, then declines as we age.”

For creative work, it is essential to keep the brain stimulated. And music has always been a reliable source. During our lunch, we began to share, and in no time, everyone was adding new stuff to their playlists. One album on the table was 'Empire' by Kaiser Quartett. And I highly recommend that you practice a little “open-earedness”. Just give your brain a treat and listen to it.

The tracks are composed and arranged by Ingmar Süberkrüb. He uses the limitation of only four Instruments to create songs and sounds you wouldn't normally expect from such a setup. It is hard to describe, it is like pop in the best sense, like short films where the images are only in your head. Haunting sounds and melodies, driving grooves - all wrapped up in a stunning sound. Contemporary music in a classical setting that never gets boring. Inspired by a wide range of styles including techno, folk, metal and film scores. As on their last album, there are also great collaborations with vocalists. For example, they recorded a new version of "Running the world" with Britpop icon Jarvis Cocker of Pulp. A song that has never been as relevant as it is today.

Listen to the Kaiser Quartett album loudly with headphones. If you need to get some creative work done, switch your phone to airplane mode, hit play and don't stop working until the album is over. You might be surprised.