Recommended Tracks: “Camouflage,” “Naked And Alive,” “Bigger Than Us,” “Passion”
Artists you may like: Sofi Tukker, Almost Monday, Young The Giant
If you know and love the German indie-rock band Milky Chance for their distinct blend of folk and electronic sounds, paired with their signature groovy vibe, you’re in luck! The dynamic duo of vocalist/guitarist Clemens Rehbein and bassist/percussionist Philipp Dausch stick to their roots in their latest collection of music, Trip Tape III, supplying your feel-good warm-weather playlist with 11 new tracks.
Through their music, I was introduced to the experimental genre of “folktronica,” a unique combination of folk, electronic, indie, and alternative. Essentially, this genre pairs singer-songwriter/indie vocals atop synthesizer music beats, and it’s the only word close to describing the magic that is Milky Chance.
Coming off the high of their 2023 album Living In A Haze, the first taste of Trip Tape III was their lead single “Naked And Alive,” an upbeat track that caught me by surprise simply because I didn’t expect a new song so soon. This catchy song is the star of the album, and its danceable energy is exactly what I needed. I also got a kick out of their hilarious sports-themed music video, showcasing members of the band power-walking competitively and playing for both the participants, judges, and spectators!
The band explained that “Naked And Alive” serves as “an ode to self-love and the celebration of spending time alone with oneself. We want to demonstrate that external validation is not necessary to feel alive. Take off your clothes, turn the music up loud and dance!”
Trip Tape III introduced a laid-back, live session version of “Naked And Alive,” which makes the listener feel like they’re stepping into a Milky Chance jam session.
I am particularly impressed with all of the cover songs on this album. I often listen to covers, and am either blown away or find myself cringing…the latter is usually due to artists taking an existing song and simply adding their own vocals. What impresses me with every Milky Chance cover is that they reinvent the vocals and the music, and transform it into something that makes complete sense for Rehbein’s voice and the band’s discography. If you were not familiar with the songs they covered, you might not even realize the track is not originally theirs.
Their innovative cover of “Wonderful Life” by English singer Black took me by surprise as I discovered that it’s more like a cover of Katie Melua’s version of the same song. Upon listening to multiple versions, I can conclude that this is a fun cover of a cover. While not all too familiar with the original tune, I found the melody stuck in my head, drawing me back to the center of the album. “Wonderful Life” is the epitome of what a good cover should be — taking another song and making it your own (with proper credit to the original artist, of course).
Trip Tape III also features a cover of Tommy Richman’s 2024 viral hit “Million Dollar Baby,” and a remix of Theo Katzman’s 2020 song “What Did You Mean (When You Said Love).”
The final track, “Bigger Than Us,” is a fun, 70s-inspired track that leaves listeners in a good mood, while also properly encapsulating the vibe of the entire project. It makes me only hope that Trip Tape IV is not too far away.
I am a big fan of music videos, and Milky Chance always ends up at the top of my YouTube recommendations. While there aren’t music videos for each track on Trip Tape III, the pair did create a humorous visualizer for the entire album. I found myself giggling along as Rehbein and Dausch embarked on their own little motorcycle trip, singing their own songs while checking out a map.
The only shame in this album coming out in mid-September is that this collection of songs would work perfectly on a summertime playlist, but rest assured, Trip Tape III will be an incredible chill addition to your playlists during any season.
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