SplendidSplendid

«Splendid»—German for “excellent”—is a word nowadays mostly exclaimed by overly cheerful Brits in their 80s. Back when cinemas were everywhere, some even bore that name. Sometimes there’s a classic bar that greets passersby with neon letters saying «Splendid». And then there’s this new band from Bern. Wow.

We’re sure: Polo Hofer listens to Splendid in paradise. What Levin Dennler—who has also produced music for Trettmann, Bonez MC, and Stereo Luchs—and Mike Egger, co-founder and frontman of Jeans for Jesus, have brought into the world is top-tier Swiss German rock—sometimes serious, sometimes playful, always catchy.

Rock? Yes, the album features plenty of synthesizers and electronic effects, true. But live, Splendid are a bit rawer—and that makes it all the better!