Lehmanski’s latest solo album ‘Strandkorb der Gemütlichkeit’ (‘beach chair of cosiness’ in English), has been a long time in the making. In fact, the German troubadour’s artistic journey started back in the early ‘2000s, then unveiling a debut LP in 2008. Fast forward to militance in an indie band and a subsequent second solo album in 2022, and we get to today. Lehmanski is not done yet, and we actually have the feeling that the project is at its peak. You see, ‘Strandkorb der Gemütlichkeit’ feels both nostalgic and contemporary, comfortable and intense.
Drawing from Germany’s Hamburger Schule scene of the 1980s, the record finds a functional path into indie-rock territories with a certain pop allure. There are also hints of new wave in it, a sound that Lehmanski is actually drawing from a wide pool of influences. We are particular fans of his vocals, rough around the edges in a compelling and vibrant manner.
We are intrigued by Lehmanski’s German lyrics, as they add a touch of authenticity to an already vibrant and wholesome indie formula. As mentioned, the album takes a cue from the wider Hamburger Schule movement, which was especially focused on writing songs in German. Yet, the project’s influences span a much larger territory. As we are told: “Lehmanski sends the core philosophy of the Hamburger Schule back to the classroom, but under different circumstances. It’s not just about doubt, being ‘against it’, or maintaining an ambivalent ‘I don’t know’ as a stance. Here and there, it’s about the beautiful things and the easy life, even without an intellectual superstructure.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Strandkorb der Gemütlichkeit’ now: