We all have one friend we can go months, even years without seeing, yet the moment you come together, it’s like time hasn’t passed. It’s a unique type of friendship, one where your souls are connected like two paper cups strung together with thin twine. This person becomes a living, breathing time capsule, possessing the power to transport you to a different place and time. I contain this bond with an artist I fell in love with a long, long time ago. Out of the blue, I decided to revisit the album that started it all, the album that planted an emerald crystal in my heart and sparked my love for music.
Milky Chance is a German singer/ songwriter duo started by two high school best friends, Clemens Rehbein and Philipp Dausch. The pair met in band class and have been making music together ever since (very American Pie, if you ask me). Milky Chance released their award-winning debut album, Sadnecessary, in 2013. Their catchy hit “Stolen Dance” has since accumulated over 860 million views on YouTube, gaining popularity in over 20 countries. In 2022, they revamped their most famous album by producing it acoustically, offering a beautiful and unique listening experience that showcases their talent in its purest form. The humble Sadnecssary paved the way for 4 equally incredible albums, Blossom (2017), Mind the Moon (2019), Trip Tape (2021), and their most recent, Trip Tape II (2022).
Of course, “Stolen Dance” remains their most well-known song, and many of you probably remember hearing the unique melody on the radio. I was only 10 years old when I first heard it, and it's safe to say my interest in music blossomed in its wake (subtle reference to their album, Blossom, which I listen to on vinyl every morning before school). I even asked my mom if I could buy it on iTunes, way back before the age of music streaming subscriptions. However, since then, not much has been said about Milky Chance, and most of their music remains underground. Of course, I view this as a great disservice to humanity, so it's my responsibility to share them with you all. Not to be cheesy, but I must add that they are an acquired taste, like goat cheese. Nonetheless, I encourage you to be open-minded and give them a chance, a Milky Chance, if you will.
In my eyes, Sadnecessary was already flawless from beginning to end, a true “No skips” type of album. The acoustic version made me fall in love with it all over again. The raw vocals and soft instrumentals sent chills through my bones and reminded me why I loved their music. Milky Chance is categorized as alternative, however, they belong to a genre all their own. I can’t put my finger on it, like trying to describe a color you’ve never seen before; Rehbein’s voice has a subtle reggae tone, yet the lyrics radiate like abstract poetry.
The album tackles the themes of heart-unraveling love, damaged self-esteem, and the painful pursuit of your dreams. Milky Chance defies the judgmental older generation who says, “no one is making good music these days,” always staying true to their unique style and putting out songs of substance. Every lyric feels thoughtful and meaningful. My favorite tracks on the album are “Becoming” (Gilles Deleuze would be proud), “Running,” “Sadncessary,” “Fairytale,” “Sweet Sun,” and “Loveland.”
The title track sets up an excellent transition for “Fairytale,” trying to clear the fogged-up circus mirrors associated with falling in love, like a distorted fairy tale where true intentions hide underneath pretty appearances. One of my favorite lyrics read, “Mirror mirror, who’s the happiest, is it the lover or it the beloved, and mirror mirror, can I blame you for this when heartbreakers come around?”. Like Snow White's poisoned apple, Milky Chance took a bite out of the fictional idea of love our society has sold in media. “Fairytale” further elaborates on this idea: “You are my fairytale, don't you wanna stay? You are my fairytale, I hope that you don't run away”. A recurring feeling throughout the album is the inability to preserve the faultless image of someone you love because, unlike fairy tales, real life does not close with velvet curtains and happily ever after (or maybe the English major in me is overanalyzing).
The meanings of their thought-provoking songs are all up to you. Milky Chance is worth checking out if you are an avid music listener. For those who fall in love with their music, I am glad to report they are going on a world tour in 2023. May you be transported by the power of music. Happy listening!
Your writing reads like a song I’m definitely inspired to go listen!