HYSTERESE • IV • LP

This Charming Man

“I honestly thought the Tübingen punk rock band HYSTERESE had split up — after all, singers Helen Runge and Moritz Kehle seemed so busy with their side projects. But nope! Out of nowhere comes their fourth — once again self-titled — Hysterese album, and it perfectly completes their evolution toward a truly international punk rock sound built on minor-chord guitar walls. They’ve arrived in the league where only the WIPERS, BOB MOULD, MOVING TARGETS, or DESCENDENTS usually play.

These are perfectly written, classic songs with hooklines that stick immediately. It’s the kind of record that, much like TURBOSTAAT, will soon be spinning in every youth center while the stage is being set up. The driving mid-tempo, the rich, spacious sound, the jangling guitars, and Helen’s divine vocals — those are the elements that all of punk rock Germany can agree on.

The ten Hysterese songs are blessed with melodies in the spirit of BLONDIE or BILLY IDOL — unforgettable, sing-along anthems with fingers pointed in the air, the full package. I still can’t believe they keep coming up with more and more melodies — or that they’re actually from Tübingen, because the sound is so incredibly American.

DIY pop rock with punk rock power under the hood — absolutely, seriously awesome.”
— Tobi Neumann / Duesenjaeger