Fahrland, Mz Sunday Luv Yesterday (2018)
Kölsch, Cologne’s signature beer, is best enjoyed in a local bar—or, as the locals call it, a “Kneipe.” To keep the brew fresh and crisp, the beer is served in small, straight glasses called “Stangen.” If you plan on enjoying a Kölsch, here’s a tradition worth knowing about: your glass will be continuously refilled by servers, known as “Köbes,” until you place a coaster over it—a signal that you’re ready to take a break.
In the late 1990s, Köln techno, the city’s distinctive take on electronic music, became the perfect companion to this drinking tradition. With its melodic minimalism and ambient undertones, this subgenre provides the ideal soundtrack for sipping some Kölsch. The beer’s simplicity mirrors the music’s ethos—both are stripped down to their essentials and yet refined. Meanwhile, the repetitive but dynamic beats of Köln techno echo the rhythmic cycle of Kölsch glasses being refilled.
One name synonymous with Köln techno is Kompakt, the iconic label, record store and distributor based in the Rhine city. At its heart is Michael Mayer, a pivotal figure who has helped spread Kompakt’s sound globally as both a DJ and producer. Mayer’s extensive discography includes acclaimed mix CDs, such as the laid-back Connecting the Dots, released in 2021.
The compilation exemplifies Mayer’s signature pop-infused approach to techno, with the standout opening track, “Yesterday” by Fahrland and Mz Sunday Luv, as a highlight. Originally released in 2018 by none other than Kompakt, the track is perfect for killing some Kölsch. In that sense: Cheers! Or, as you would say in Germany: “Prost!”
Start the conversation
Become a paid member of The Rest to gain access to the comments section.