Music – Numéro Berlin

WEEKEND MUSIC PT.59: ELI PREISS “WIMPERNSCHLAG”

Anna Klusmeier — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:34:25 +0000

Whether it’s her recent single “Bussi”, a standout appearance on Nina Chuba’s “Rage Girl” remix, a feature in Vogue, an electrifying performance at Splash Festival or a headline show at Vienna’s Popfest, Eli Preiss continues to cement her place as one of the most compelling new voices.

Eli Preiss, based in Vienna and Berlin, moves far beyond conventional genre boundaries and redefines music in her very own way. Rather than following familiar paths, she breaks expectations and masterfully weaves deep emotions, personal experiences, and a blend of R&B and hip-hop into a captivating and refreshing sonic landscape that skillfully balances between underground and mainstream.

Produced by Filous and shot in Los Angeles (rumor has it in the home of directing legend Sam Raimi), “Wimpernschlag” is a confident and captivating summer offering. It blends sultry, vamp-inspired aesthetics with heavy Miami bass rhythms, underscored by songwriting that feels both intensely personal and strikingly precise.

“I originally wrote the song for a friend,” Eli reveals, “but eventually realized it reflected my own story just as much.”

Positioned somewhere between the intoxication of long summer nights and the haze of underground clubs, “Wimpernschlag” resonates with a generation navigating emotional duality.

With “Wimpernschlag”, Eli Preiss makes it clear she’s not slowing down anytime soon. She strikes a tone entirely her own – articulating what so many of us carry quietly in our hearts. One thing is certain: this is only the beginning, and we have every reason to be intrigued by what’s still to come.

“Wimpernschlag” – out July 25 via Upstairs.

WEEKEND MUSIC PT. 58: LORDE‘S NEW ALBUM VIRGIN

Anna Klusmeier — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:57:01 +0000

In the haze of last year’s brat chaos, pop music’s crown seemed dipped in neon green and club sweat. But this summer, Lorde reclaims the throne with What Was That – an album that feels like a confession whispered into the early morning hum of New York City. Her latest record Virgin unfolds like a secret diary: fractured love, inner conflicts and a hunger for transformation stitched into every chord.

While her tie to Charli XCX is undeniable and we listened to their featured remix last summer, this year belongs to Lorde’s quieter storm. If Charli started a bratty rebellion, What Was That will let us feel soft devastation spun into satin melodies. The album’s production balances sharp electronic edges with the organic warmth of acoustic threads. These new compositions might have their root in the fact, that Lorde no longer worked on the album with her old producer Antonoff.

Her recent breakup and rumored shift towards a raw, almost ascetic lifestyle seeps through every note. Stories of her eating disorder and wellness rituals have fueled the mythology abound her. Some questions are left unanswered but her return can be seen as a sign of a transformation filling the gaps and her will of opening up about her struggles.

The cover image captures it perfectly: an eerie X-ray of her uterus revealing an IUD, fragile yet defiant, as if to say: Here I am: transparent, vulnerable and unafraid to show what’s broken and what’s still whole.

8 ARTISTS TO SEE AT LOLLAPALOOZA BERLIN THIS WEEKEND

Anna Klusmeier — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 09:44:46 +0000

More than a festival, Lollapalooza is a cultural crossroads where genre boundaries dissolve, and global artistry takes centre stage. This year’s lineup boasts a vibrant spectrum of voices redefining the sound of now, from avant-garde indie pop to K-pop royalty, genre-blending troubadours to soul-baring singer-songwriters. Here are our eight must-see performances this year:

The Last Dinner Party
Known for lush arrangements and poetic lyrics, this theatrical London quintet blends baroque pop with glam and art rock influences, with a live show that blurs the line between concert and performance art. Expect a whimsical, dramatic production that pulls you into their richly imagined musical world, and if you haven’t heard their debut album Prelude to Ecstasy, consider this your invitation.

Artemas
Darkwave alt-pop sensation Artemas is a rising star from Oxfordshire, England, and his 2024 viral hit I Like the Way You Kiss Me rightfully earned him chart success across Europe. Inspired by artists like Kurt Cobain, his visceral live shows are known for their intensity and vulnerability.

IVE
Since debuting in 2021, South Korean girl group IVE have dominated charts with hits like Love Dive, blending sleek visuals, empowering themes, and addictive pop hooks. The six-member act’s confident stage presence and crossover success in Japan and the West have cemented their global appeal. Expect polished choreography and high-octane energy from K-pop’s latest powerhouse.

Magdalena Bay
DIY to their core, LA duo Magdalena Bay crafts futuristic synth-pop full of early-2000s nostalgia. Their albums Mercurial World and Imaginal Disk combine catchy pop with experimental flair, and their live shows feature immersive visuals and inventive soundscapes. Prepare for a digital dreamworld of shimmering beats and genre-defying creativity.

Raye

Back in 2023, South London’s Raye broke free from her former label to independently release My 21st Century Blues, a powerful album exploring addiction, trauma, and resilience. Effortlessly fusing R&B, jazz, and gospel, expect a deeply emotional and musically rich performance that showcases the six-time BRIT Award winner’s incredible journey from church stages to global acclaim.

Queens Against Boarders

Celebrating diversity and hope, Queens Against Borders is a performance party that has been building solidarity with and for trans and queer refugees and migrants in Berlin and Germany since 2015. Featuring acts by artists from SWANA (SouthWest Asia & North Africa), Singapore, Brazil, Iran, and other countries, they’ll be sharing their art and personal stories over on the Fashion Stage.

Royel Otis
Australian duo Royel Otis blends jangly guitars, introspective lyrics, and laid-back charm into irresistible indie pop. Despite recent controversy briefly threatening to halt their momentum, bank on a memorable and energetic live show radiating in sincerity and grit, no doubt culminating with the brilliant Oysters In My Pocket.

Wasia Project
Sibling duo William Gao and Olivia Hardy blend jazz, indie pop, and classical influences as Wasia Project. Expect an immersive, soulful experience, and intricate compositions and like Isotope and How Can I Pretend?performed with a full band including sax and strings.

THE COMEBACK: LIAM GALLAGHER WEARS TEN C FOR OASIS RETURN

Anna Klusmeier — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:38:18 +0000

Oasis – A Reunion Full of Great Music and Fashion

On july 4^th 2025, 15 years after their dramatic breakup, Oasis made a spectacular comeback on the first stop of their UK reunion tour. All of Cardiff came together to celebrate the band and Liam Gallagher, front singer and face of the legendary Britpop band.

The highlight of the concert, no doubt, was Liam Gallagher’s stage presence while wearing an archive Ten C jacket. It belongs to the limited edition launched in April 2024 by Ten c in collaboration with Awake NY and is the result of a collaboration between two exceptional creatives Alessandro Pungetti and Angelo Baque. The outside of the windbreaker features an alternating military green and acid green fabric with an underlying camouflage print of a map of the rocky substrate of Manhattan’s neighborhoods. Because of that, the jacket is, in a subtle way, paying tribute to both brands equally.

After the 18 year long, legendary run of Oasis, a split was inevitable, as brothers Liam and Noel went different ways. At the time, the breakup seemed to have had happened quite suddenly, forcing the band to cancel all their already booked out concerts immediately.

Even more so, the reunion tour manages to feel like a conclusion to a chapter of British pop music, that was deemed dead since the late 1900s.

WEEKEND MUSIC PT. 57: MANSUR BROWN‘S „FADED“

Anna Klusmeier — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 08:37:07 +0000

Mansur Brown just released his new song ‘Faded’, the second single from his upcoming album ‘Rihla’. Influenced by jungle and drum & bass he is showcasing his signature melodic guitar work and infectious chopped vocals, ‘Faded’ offers another glimpse into Mansur’s evolving sound.

Entirely written, performed and produced by himself, ‘Rihla’ is, in his words,

Fusing intricate, flamenco-influenced guitar with original production, his genre-blurring music draws on an eclectic range of inspirations. From Fontaines DC and Deftones to early ‘00s Timbaland, Afrobeats and Burial.

As a classically trained guitarist Mansur has collaborated with Joy Orbison, Yussef Dayes, Little Simz and Alfa Mist, earning a loyal following through acclaimed projects. Known for his virtuosic yet emotive style Mansur continues to push musical boundaries, creating sounds that feel, in his words, “rejuvenating, full of happiness and gratitude.”

IN CONVERSATION WITH LITTLE SIMZ

Anna Klusmeier — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:02:00 +0000

Few artists in contemporary music manage to blend introspection, lyrical mastery, and genre-defying sound as seamlessly as Little Simz. Hailing from North London, the rapper, actress, and storyteller has carved out a space entirely her own, earning critical acclaim and a loyal global following. With a voice that’s both fierce and vulnerable, and a catalogue that pushes boundaries with each release, Little Simz is not just shaping the future of UK hip-hop—she’s redefining it.

Numéro Berlin spoke with Little Simz about her freshly released sixth album Lotus, her personal growth and creative struggles.

As a person, but also as an artist: At which point in your life do you see yourself right now?

I’m just a person who is having a human experience and doing my best to live a happy, abundant life. Even when things get hard, I’m still trying my best to just keep going.

Do you see yourself as separate from your art, or do you think it’s impossible to separate the person from the artist?

It’s all encompassing me, but I can definitely tell the two apart. There are certain parts of my artistic personality that I don’t really show in my everyday life. I’m quite introverted, but I’m different on stage. Two things can absolutely be true at the same time.

Let’s dive into your music. Could you share a few moments from your new album that you’re especially proud of because they show how far you’ve come as an artist?

As an artist, working on a project is never a straight path – especially in the middle, when you start to question everything: Is this any good? Should I even be doing this? There’s a lot of self-doubt. So honestly, I’m most proud of simply seeing it through and finishing it. There are so many times you start something and never complete it because you get in your own way.

My favorite song from the album is Lotus, the title track with Michael Kumanuka and Yusef Dayes. It just feels like the album is such a journey and then it gets to this really climatic place. It’s just a really beautiful song. There’s so many nice moments within it, it just stands out – musically, lyrically, where it travels to. I’m really proud of it.

Is creating also a fight with yourself? Or is it more an act of pleasure and joy? Or both? How do you look at that?

I’m really just trying to be a kid and create – it feels like play. And sometimes, it’s therapeutic, especially when I have things I need to get off my chest. There’s so much I want to say, and making music is a way for me to process my emotions. I often find it hard to open up to people, but it’s much easier for me to write things down and record them. So, it’s a bit of both – depending on how I’m feeling.

How important is it for an artist to keep their inner child alive?

It always has to be there, even when the it’s about heavy or more grown-up stuff. In many ways, it does the real work. It reminds you why you do what you do, why you started in the first place.

How much hardship are you willing to endure when something truly matters to you? Would you say having the patience to let something unfold over time is a distinctive part of who you are?

I think so. I definitely took the long and difficult road, but along the way, I’ve learned a lot about myself, and I’ve met so many amazing, interesting people. It’s truly been a journey, and I’m deeply grateful for it. You must really love what you do – because you don’t go through all of that without a reason.

How do you handle success and fame today, and how do they shape your art?

No one knows how long anyone will stay relevant because everything moves so fast. Of course, if you’re established and have built your place brick by brick, you can feel confident in that. But I also believe there’s value in making the path easier for the next generation. Not everyone who comes into music has to struggle the way I did. If there’s a quicker way, that’s amazing. I don’t think struggle is always necessary.

It’s strange how being famous almost feels like a career in itself. It’s not always about being recognized for your music or earning respect through your craft; sometimes, you’re just famous for the sake of being famous. Honestly, I don’t think many people truly understand what fame really means. With fame, you can’t go anywhere without being stared at. If people really knew what that was like, I’m not sure they’d want it. Not all attention is good attention.

Lotus is also deeply about renewal. How many times have you reinvented yourself throughout your life, and in what ways?

Every day, I reinvent myself—sometimes as simply as putting on a new outfit. Each album brings its own set of challenges, and I try to approach them differently because I want different results. If you keep doing things the same way, you get the same outcomes. So, I make an effort to keep myself excited throughout the process, to challenge myself, to explore new themes – and sometimes revisit old ones. Reinvention is essential. As an artist, you have to find new ways, not just for others, but for yourself.

I get bored easily, which is probably why my albums have such different vibes. I have so many directions I want to explore – maybe it’s my ADHD pushing me to try different things. It keeps my music fresh and exciting. There’s electronic sounds, Afrobeat rhythms – it all comes together to create a real journey where I can tap into different sides of myself.

Do you think it’s important to master each genre before being able to mix them all together?

I don’t have to master it, as long as I don’t fuck it up. I didn’t grow up living in Brazil, so If I make a bossa nova song, there may be elements I’m missing. But I have listened to enough music from that genre. And also, it’s more just a feeling. I trust my ear, and I trust my taste, but I also just try to put my spin on it.

For all of that, you must know yourself really well. What does authenticity mean to you?

I believe it all comes down to trusting yourself. Sometimes, it’s not about knowing exactly what you can do – it’s about having the courage to try. Especially now, when people in the music industry tend to avoid risks. I get it – it’s scary to face criticism and judgment. Taking risks and being brave feels harder than ever. But I try not to let that hold me back.

Could you share your perspective on the current climate in music? I get the sense that the pressure is coming from multiple sides. The ongoing discussions around vocal culture in recent years seem to have had an impact on creativity, making it feel somewhat constrained. How do you see this?

It’s tough for artists these days because there’s this constant expectation that you always have to know exactly what to say. The more pressure you feel, the more limited you become creatively. What excites me most about art is when I don’t fully understand it. I don’t have to like every piece in an exhibition – I can stand there, unsure if it’s for me, but appreciate that it’s challenging me.

Maybe some of that freedom is getting lost nowadays. The world just doesn’t feel like a safe space anymore. It’s harder to be vulnerable when you don’t feel safe, and that definitely affects an artist’s mindset. You hesitate to share your true feelings because you know they’ll be scrutinized. I get that too. So yes, it’s a difficult balance. I just try to create what feels authentic to me.

Great art, as you said, comes from vulnerability and pushing boundaries. I’m curious – what does it feel like to create something truly authentic and recognize it in the moment? Like when you have a piece of music and you just know it’s something really special.

Music is such an invisible art form – you can’t see it, yet when I create a piece and can almost feel it, it’s like it takes on the color red or some vivid sensation. That sense of bringing something intangible into existence makes me feel truly creative. Music isn’t just a feeling; it’s a vibration, and I believe there’s a reason it moves us emotionally.

When we made the song Blue with Sampha, he was just freely creating, and I found myself crying because what he was expressing touched me deeply – on a level even he might not have been fully aware of. It’s moments like that that remind me how music connects us. It’s not just about me; collaborators bring so much to the process, shaping what the music ultimately becomes.

“The whole process was a crazy, crazy, crazy experience, crazy.”

Your name actually means “brave woman,” doesn’t it? I’m curious—what does bravery mean to you personally? Have you ever thought about what truly defines a brave woman in your eyes?

It’s someone who really owns their truth and isn’t afraid to speak up for themselves. I haven’t always done that. I’ve had moments where I look back and think, Why didn’t I say no? Why didn’t I stand up for myself? But with time and growth, I’ve really stepped into my name, if that makes sense. I’ve grown into that person – into what being brave really means to me.