Periode was born almost unintentionally in 2015, and today they are already on their fifth album, 5, featuring seven tracks alternating between four instrumental pieces and three vocal songs. Their genre is not easy to classify, as their sound is completely abstract. The only thing we are clear about is that their strength lies in what they manage to convey.
Thomas Winkler met Andreas Reihse Kreidler on the steps of Oranienburger Straße 18 in Berlin, after the former had just finished a concert with his electric guitar. And that’s how this duo was born so effortlessly. Reihse’s role is digitally overlaying and underlying Winkler’s guitar sound, the result of intense and condensed post-production. It’s interesting to highlight that the covers of their albums always feature paintings by contemporary artists such as Michaela Eichwald and Sebastian Dacy.
The concept of 5, their latest work, is entirely emotional with a touch of melancholy, yet at the same time, it exudes a positive vibe. Their rhythm drives movement, but don’t imagine club-style electronica, as they are completely removed from that. The atmosphere is almost cinematic, as if it were the soundtrack to introspective experiences. There is little singing, but there are discourses that add narrative to the melody.
The opening track, Auerstrasse, is a musical realisation of a poem by Sonja vom Brocke. As a lyrical description in German, the song places us on a walk through Berlin. Although the rhythm may not stand out, the aura it conveys is linked to raves. Contigummi transports us to London nights, and this time there is no voice accompanying the theme. The saturated bass and guitar, along with certain beats, create an atmosphere of uncertainty. Hair & Make-Up is co-written by Kathia Rudametkin, an artist from Mexico who plays the viola and lends her voice, switching between Spanish and English. A seductive electro piece with echoes of noisy guitars and many musical nuances like maracas, drums, and the digitised touches that define them, make this song the most complex, not to mention that it is also the longest, with 8:13 minutes.
Heaven is the one that comes closest to the club, with choruses that remind us of the spiritual. Rubio keeps the electric guitar in mind, and the rhythm is spacious and slow, although with the drums, the dynamism increases. We almost reach the end with Dark Bordeaux, which, contrary to what the title suggests, we dare say is the song with the best vibes. The sound transports you to a natural, harmonious, and idyllic landscape. Return Song takes care of closing the album, with warm guitars and a reggae organ. They’ve added an additional track, April's 4:04 from Hair & Make-Up, a new version of the previously mentioned song, a bit more commercial thanks to the rhythm and rave keys. If you've made it this far, check for yourself everything that we have said.