Future Days: Krautrock and the Building of Modern Germany

Post-war West Germany, a nation grappling with its past and feeling adrift, unexpectedly became the fertile ground for a musical revolution. From this unlikely landscape emerged a generation of musicians who, beginning in the 1960s, cultivated the experimental sounds that would become known as Krautrock. Bands like Faust, Neu!, Cluster, Ash Ra Tempel, Amon Düül II, Can, and Kraftwerk didn't just create music; their influence on popular music is, quite simply, incalculable.

Future Days offers far more than a superficial overview of this fascinating genre. It stands as an in-depth and meticulously researched study of the music itself and the visionary groups who brought it into being. Rather than relying on tired rock history narratives, the book delves deep into the sonic innovations, the artistic philosophies, and the cultural context that gave rise to this groundbreaking movement.

Julian Cope's earlier work on the subject was foundational, but Future Days promises a fresh and comprehensive exploration, inviting readers to truly understand the unique alchemy that these bands conjured. It avoids simplistic categorisations, instead seeking to illuminate the diverse and often challenging sounds that defined Krautrock. This is not just a historical account; it's an intellectual and sonic journey into a period of profound musical experimentation, revealing the enduring legacy of a genre that continues to inspire and influence artists today.