CARLI is an alt pop and indie rock artist from Germany who caught our editor’s attention with her electro-rock banger “IM NACHGANG.”
It says a lot when a country has a history of breaking onto the international stage through a specific genre, such as rock. That happens to be the case for Germany, with the city of Kassel looking at another breakout with CARLI if her recent slew of singles, including the recently released “IM NACHGANG,” are anything to go by.
While she just got started in October last year with her self-titled debut single, she has built her blend of pop and rock on top of a proven foundation that ranges from 1983’s “99 Luftballons” to fellow Kassel natives Milky Chance. However, it’s the way she builds on top of the foundation that distinguishes her from the get-go.
Rotating between drums and guitar, CARLI is already carving a niche defined by soundtracking the messy relationships of your 20s with radio-ready rhythms, a raspy voice, and an indie-rock edge that’s gradually becoming a mainstay in modern pop music. At a time when borders are redundant, and the internet keeps anyone and everyone interconnected with the latest, there’s no need to worry about missing out due to a language barrier.
Before the release of “IM NACHGANG,” which is yet another step up for the singer-songwriter, CARLI got her first taste of international recognition with “PINOCCHIO.” At first beginning on a jittery, electronic note, CARLI’s trademark rasp lets the rock come thundering in for an infectious groove. However, what’s most impressive is how self-assured the final product is, maintaining its edge even when the pop-leaning chorus comes in.
The same is true for “IM NACHGANG,” albeit with just as much angst in its drums and vocals. Where “PINOCCHIO” had a naturally more upbeat atmosphere, “IM NACHGANG,” or “in hindsight” in English, is the rude awakening over a former partner never having your best intentions.
Emphasis on rude there, because the confrontational energy manages to balance the lyrics – that serve as a final goodbye – with an anthemic indie-rock structure that’s equal parts cathartic and crunchy in sound
Playing at local and national music festivals in Germany would’ve already been enough evidence that what CARLI is doing has the appeal to take her far. But by setting her sights high and already attracting a wider audience beyond her home country, she’s setting herself up for longevity on the same level as her already high music quality.
“IM NACHGANG” by Carli is out now. For more on new music and tickets to potential shows, follow her Instagram.
