Janosch Troehler

In line with the Weekly5 values, I’ve to apologize for two mistakes in the last issue:

First, I wrote that FINE. was an artist from Geneva. This is incorrect; she is actually from Germany. Secondly, I wrongly wrote Le Femme instead of La Femme in the song description.

The mistakes have been corrected in the online version but communicating them transparently to you is equally important.

Moving on, I welcome the new subscribers to Weekly5. I hope you’ll find new music and artists you like. Check out the previously featured songs on Spotify.

So without further ado, let’s dive into this selection:

Sensu – Drawn

Everything but the usual can be expected from the Swiss producer Sensu. Drawn, her latest single, makes no exception but builds further on her reputation as an extraordinary artist.

Sensu’s variety spans from hip-hop-inspired tracks like Outspoken to bass-driven electronica, as demonstrated in Escape. The new track definitely belongs to the latter.

Drawn is an instrumental work that defies conventionalism. The complex structure and intricate rhythm make this single edgy and fascinating.

Schiller & Alphaville – Summer in Berlin

Summer in Berlin had a difficult standing on Alphaville’s 1984 album Forever Young next to the namesake hit and the unforgotten Big In Japan. But there was Christopher von Deylen, a teenager who absorbed the song.

Today, von Deylen is known as Schiller. “Back then, ‘Berlin’ sounded like the ultimate wanderlust to me,” he explains. The rework of the Alphaville song is the heart of a new Schiller album.

Adding the well-known Schiller sound, Summer in Berlin transpires to a contemporary electronic masterpiece without losing the unique 80s feeling.

👋 A wholehearted welcome to all new members of our small music community. Learn more about our values here. I hope today’s selection will inspire you.

It’s been a hell of a week at work for me. So I was immensely grateful for the first Crewlist with songs to unwind. Lying on the sofa, eyes closed, listening to these relaxing tracks – there’s no better way for me to calm down.

Now, it’s Saturday. Late evening, 11 pm. I’m going through all submissions to present five interesting releases. And I think I’ve found something that might excite you.

This week, we’re wandering through electronic forests, going crazy on surf-rock beaches, cuddling in front of a warm R&B fireplace, crossing a language barrier, and plunging into an obscure abyss.

Obviously, you can also do this in the Spotify playlist.

Let’s start the journey.

FINE. – Beware

Switzerland “celebrates” the fact that women can vote for 50 years. The perfect timing for 21-year-old FINE. to release Beware. Wrapped in a captivating, synth-driven package, the artist denounces patriarchy.

Beware features a somewhat exotic melody reminiscent of far eastern music. It elevates the otherwise darker ambience to a more playful level – an angry song without sounding like it.

La Femme – Foutre Le Bordel

Let’s imagine messing up the high society in Saint Tropez: What soundtrack would be the perfect match? It has to be Foutre Le Bordel by the French surf-rock outfit La Femme.

Their song reminds me of Ça plane pour moi by Belgian artist Plastic Bertrand but rather pivoting to a psychedelic note than classic punk and new wave. Nevertheless, Foutre Le Bordel is a sweaty blast.

Good morning,

In the beginning, I send a warm welcome to the new subscribers. I’m excited that you’re here! 🥳 If you want to learn about Weekly5’s values, be sure to read this issue.

Now, it’s always difficult to compare the past editions. I always select the five songs that grab my attention, that increase my heartbeat. However, there are obviously weeks that stand out more than others.

You’re lucky. It’s such a week.

If you cannot be bothered to click on all the video links, there’s a solution: Listen to today’s selection on Spotify.

A Projection – Darwin's Eden

Stockholm’s A Projection were stuck in my heavy rotation for quite some time with their intriguing Transition. Obviously, I was excited to discover their latest release, Darwin’s Eden.

A Projection don’t disappoint. This track is a must-listen for everyone that loves the darkness, the foggy dancefloors, and the melancholic underbelly of the 80s. Darkwave collides with post-punk, creating a soundtrack that defies the boundaries between flickering opulence and the obscure underground.

A.A. Williams – Nights In White Satin

There’s nothing left to write about Nights In White Satin, the genre-defining hymn by the symphonic rockers The Moody Blues, that hasn’t already been written.

Countless cover versions prove that Nights In White Satin is still a milestone in music history. But British artist A.A. Williams’ addition is one of the best. She transforms the bombastic, orchestral sound into a fragile ballade – carried only by piano and voice – that cuts right into the heart.

Le Bleak – Listen to This If

“Listen to this if you want to be more popular.” London-based duo Le Bleak’s Listen to This If is a reckoning with the empty promise of quick self-optimization. Their debut single wants you to shut up and dance as an antidote to tough times.

It’s an explosive batch of old-school electronica sound with traces of house music. Reminiscent of Daft Punk, Le Bleak’s uniqueness stems from the bizarre combination of pumping beats and spoken word.

Good morning,

As always, a very warm welcome to the new subscribers. Thank you for being here. 👋

The last issue was long, but I promise that we will get straight to the point in today’s issue. Although, I’d like to give you a heads-up: We’re quite edgy – sometimes.

Alright, here are my recommendations for this week.

The Haunted Youth – Teen Rebel

May I introduce: The Haunted Youth are a brand new dream pop and a quite post-punky outfit from Hasselt, Belgium. Teen Rebel seems to be their first major single release, at least if you can trust their Spotify profile.

Although indie icons like Tame Impala clearly inspire them, this track is also reminiscent of an 80s vibe. The Haunted Youth’s Teen Rebel isn’t loud but melancholic and, yes, haunted.

Anna Leone – Once

My first contact with Anna Leone’s fragile yet powerful sound was If You Only. Until today, this track gives me goosebumps. Her latest release, Once, is even more bare-bone structured.

Her captivating voice glides over a glimmering guitar. And after a while, a layer of strings and piano deepens the foundation of this song.

Good morning,

First, a warm welcome to all the new subscribers. I’m excited that you joined this little community. 👋

Now, many have asked me which values Weekly5 incorporates. Okay, that’s not true. Nobody did and probably never will. But I think it’s important that you know. (And if you’re not into this meta stuff, please scroll down a bit to today’s selection.)

The Weekly5 Values

There are five core values that I defined for Weekly5. These values not only guide the curation process but also how I communicate with you.

Curiosity Weekly5 is driven by the urge to discover new music and encourages everyone to be open-minded.

Quality Weekly5 is striving for a unique and intimate experience of discovery through a high standard in quality.

Diversity Weekly5 pays attention to diversity in gender, origin, and musical genres alike.

Independence Weekly5 is independent of outside influence. Reviews cannot be bought. Opinions are honest and truthful.

Integrity Weekly5 upholds its values and communicates issues transparently.

I’m open about these values because they’re nothing to be ashamed of. The values also are helpful to you: They can guide your answer whether you want to be a part of this community or not. And you can use them to hold me accountable.

I promise to uphold these five values the best I can.

And here’s today’s selection that you can also find in the Spotify playlist.

Linn Koch-Emmery – Linn RIP

I first came across Linn Koch-Emmery back in 2018 with the wild single Don’t Sleep on My Luv. The Swedish artist’s new track, Linn RIP, is less noisy but mellow and obviously depressed. No wonder, as Koch-Emmery tells about self-doubt.

Nevertheless, Linn RIP still sparkles: Soothing melodies are the musician’s talent. And she doesn’t make an exception in her latest single. Linn RIP is a hauntingly beautiful indie-pop tune.

Black Honey – Believer

Two years after their astonishing, self-titled debut album, Brighton’s Black Honey are back with an EP. The title track, Believer, pivots from the band’s well-established and dusty surf rock to a more grande rock opera, especially when the brass section kicks in.

That’s not a bad thing, as the essential vintage vibe remains at the sound’s core. I’m a believer, baby!

A warm welcome,

If you don’t know me already: Hi, I’m Janosch. 👋

I started in journalism very traditionally in my school’s newspaper. Today, I work for a big publisher in Switzerland in community and product management.

However, my favourite topic has always been music. That’s why I ran the online magazine Negative White from 2010 until last year. Weekly5 is kind of a spin-off.

The premise of this newsletter is simple: Every Sunday, I recommend five new tracks from all over the world. My motivation is also simple: I love music, and I want to share my passion with you through this newsletter.

And without further ado: Let’s discover great music together. Fair warning, though. It’s going to be mostly dystopian sound. Thanks, 2020, I guess. 🤷‍♂️

Arthur Hnatek & Taut – Ritual

The collaboration between the Swiss artist Arthur Hnatek and New York’s Jacob Bergson, aka Taut, casts you in the abyss. Ritual celebrates dystopian soundscapes built upon bone-shattering beats. An electronic track that despises the dancefloor yet remains a physical experience.

Göldin & Bit-Tuner – #mikeskinner

2021 marks the 30th anniversary of Swiss-German rap. And precisely now, Göldin & Bit-Tuner have dropped the album Uff, which couldn’t be a better statement on our society. #mikeskinner is an urgent track – flowing breathlessly, oppressively, uncanny. It might be, without a doubt, one of the best Swiss songs this year.