Sprechen sie deutsch? The German music industry generated nearly $1 billion in the first half of 2022 and it’s the world’s fourth largest music market. Meanwhile, the Austrian music market grew 11% in 2021 according to IFPI Austria. From the countries that brought us Kraftwerk, Parov Stelar and Conchita Wurst, WAT’s Picks of the Month presents a selection of German-language hits from five artists to watch in the new year.
Betterov – Böller aus Polen
One of Germany’s hottest new talents to watch in 2023, Manuel Bittorf, known by the moniker Betterov, Böller aus Polen has slight a cheesy, slightly euphoric, everybody-wave-your-hands type feel. It’s a big crowd-pleaser number of thrumming electric guitars and keyboards, arriving just in time as the perfect setlist addition for his winter tour.
ROTE MÜTZE RAPHI – Egal
The 20-year-old German rapper started producing and writing her own songs from the age of 14. Released this year, her debut album Liebeskummer Party marks her out as a formidable talent under that signature red cap (Rote Mütze, in German, hence the name) with a knack for a smooth flow. Pop-trap tune Egal chronicles the heartbreak of loving someone who won’t commit.
Yukno – BÖSE GEISTER
The hitmakers behind Hund have done it again. The Vienna-based duo released their brand new EP Die Sterne von unten in mid-November. Böse Geister takes its cues from the drum ’n’ bass revival and leans into the world of cross-over dance electronica with echoing metallic synths. This is one for the Bicep fans out there.
RAHEL – Fliegen
In an interview with Kumo Records, Austria native RAHEL describes Fliegen as “a hymn to being a weirdo. A song that not only understands loneliness, but even celebrates it.” The dreamy indie track floats along via big guitar strums and raindrop-like synths. Hochsommer is also another one to have on your radar.
EMILIO – SUCHEN SOL
Born and raised in Berlin, Emilio Sakraya started out as an actor before transitioning into making music. SUCHEN SOL comes from his album 1996 (Deluxe) and it’s a radio-ready hit. The track has a chorus ripe for a TikTok moment of fame and features an instantly memorable “oh-oh-oh-oh” chorus, ready for a lip synch regardless of what language you speak. They missed a trick by not coming up with a viral dance though.