Booka Shade’s 12th Studio Album ‘For Real’ is Just That

After a quarter-century, Booka Shade reaffirms their reputation as one of electronic music’s most consistent and innovative acts with For Real.

Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier, better known as Booka Shade, have proven their enduring relevance in electronic music. For over 25 years, their Grammy-nominated career has navigated the volatile terrain of underground dance music by consistently delivering an original sound that ranges from melodic house and techno to dance pop. With countless chart-topping releases and remixes, their consistency keeps hold of a devoted global following and solidifies their position as a premier live act on the world’s biggest festival stages.

The release of For Real marks the German duo’s twelfth studio album and the 150th release via their imprint Blaufield Music. The album unfolds a compelling narrative: The listener is guided from the peaceful warmth of a sun-drenched beach to the vibrant energy of a TRON-inspired nightclub, then accompanied on the introspective drive home. Booka Shade’s ability to preserve their vintage sound with modern production techniques never misses.

The album’s first half develops warm, emotional soundscapes by weaving orchestral instrumentation—trumpets and strings—with organic textures like congas and guitars. The album’s opening single, “Broken Glass,” delivers a jazzy, earthy and cinematic feel. Jono McCleary’s warm, airy vocals in “Save Me” provide a relaxed, downtempo mood reminiscent of a lazy Sunday afternoon. For Real‘s initial tracks culminate into a bright, rustic atmosphere subtly infused with progressive nuances.

There has long been a plan to delve deep into our archive and search for those lost ideas that have accumulated over the years. Songs which, for whatever reason, didn’t fit onto one of our albums or EPs, but we always really liked. At the beginning of 2024, it was finally time to tackle this project and to finalize some of these lost treasures. Now it‘s ‘For Real’.
Booka Shade

“P.I.N. 4” arrives as the perfect pre-game anthem with synthwave and new wave influences. Gritty, dark synths and sharp, pulsating chord stabs ignite a palpable sense of anticipation. As the energy builds, Booka Shade takes us on a drive to the club with “Nuuk.” Maintaining the familiar harmonic character of “P.I.N. 4”, the momentum of “Nuuk” propels the listener into the night, seamlessly bridging the gap between the pre-party excitement and the main event.

At the album’s heart, we arrive at “Club For Real.” Tracks like “Virtual Face” and “(Neon Lights) They Glow,” convey the energy of a packed, neon-drenched dancefloor. Plucky basslines coupled with sustained synths create an immersive, kinetic experience while a militant trumpet calls the dancefloor to order. Classic, simple drum patterns underpin the groove; if we close our eyes, we can see the strobe lights.

The album closes with “Elysium,” “Your Command,” and “Losing Control,” each track capturing the bittersweet essence of a late-night drive home. Booka Shade masterfully reintroduces the organic feel from the album’s beginning, though the synthwave elements remain. Sultry vocal chops become more progressive, offering a gentle descent from the nightclub’s high-octane energy.

Not surprisingly, Booka Shade has once again given the world a genuine and authentic album that delivers on its title’s promise. For Real is a must-listen. For real. Give it a spin on Spotify or your preferred platform, and follow the duo for more to come.

Stream Booka Shade – For Real on Spotify:

Booka Shade – For Real – Tracklist:

Broken Glass

Electric Birds

Save Me ft. Jono McCleery

Glare

P.I.N. 4

Nukk

Virtual Face

(Neon Lights) They Glow

Elysium

Your Command

Losing Control

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