Automat

Automat is, above all, a love letter to Berlin. Recorded in the German capital, this seven-song debut from the eponymous band is rife with references and nods to the titular city and its history. Formed by Einstürzende Neubauten guitarist Jochen, Project Pitchfork drummer Achim Färber and bassist zeitblom of Sovetskoe Foto, Automat lay down groove-inspired instrumental electronic that feels more organic and loose than their pedigrees suggest. Joined by a handful of post-punk-era vocalists (Throbbing Gristle's Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Einstürzende Neubauten's Blixa Bargeld and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks' Lydia Lunch), Automat strives to give each song its own unique personality. But despite the album's pristine production, modern modes and great performances, Automat mostly sounds like an endless jam session. Still, Automat remains an easy-to-enjoy but hard-to-understand concept; a tribute to Germany that doesn't sound German at all.