Paul Kalkbrenner is gearing up to release The Essence in October and dropped off its lead single that turns back time to give fans a taste of what’s to come.
Paul Kalkbrenner has a long legacy in the dance music scene. His earliest days were spent being raised in Berlin amid the boom of rave culture in the ’90s, leading to his deep passion for electronic grooves, music production, and live performances. The past few decades have seen Paul Kalkbrenner become a true icon, doing everything from releasing monumental albums to performing at Tomorrowland and the Berlin Wall anniversary. Now, in 2025, he’s adding another chapter to his story with a fresh album, The Essence.
The Essence, Paul Kalkbrenner’s first new album in seven years, is set to arrive in October and feature tunes that were created over several years in his retro-fueled apartment – many of which were born when he didn’t have that goal in mind. “Many songs were made during a time when I wasn’t even planning an album,” he said. “I had basically moved on from making albums, but then I realized how nice it is to have something with a larger sense of cohesion again.”
For Paul Kalkbrenner, The Essence is a culmination of carefully crafted tunes that he considers to be essential, with no filler moments spread throughout. “This is an album I can truly stand behind. I consider it my best,” he shared about the forthcoming release.
The first taste of the new soundscapes from the Berlin-born producer arrived with the release of its lead single, “Ninety – Two.” This tune takes listeners back in time on a nostalgia-fueled ride. You’ll find yourself placed straight into a warehouse as the piano melody, thudding bassline, and distant vocal sample grace your ears. Yet the track isn’t just an homage to the past; it’s a continuation of what that sound would’ve evolved into today.
Give “Ninety – Two” a spin on Spotify or your preferred platform, and pre-save or pre-order The Essence ahead of its release on October 10.
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