Paul Kalkbrenner has released THE ESSENCE, his first album in seven years and one of his most personal projects to date.
Marking his first full-length record since 2018’s Parts of Life, THE ESSENCE brings together a body of work shaped over several years, capturing a more instinctive and unfiltered side of Paul’s creative process.
A number of singles offered an early glimpse into the album, including NINETY - TWO, QUE CE SOIT CLAIR, and DREAMING ON, the latter sampling Depeche Mode. Since its release, QUE CE SOIT CLAIR has achieved gold status in both Belgium and France. The album has also entered the Top 10 album charts in Germany, Belgium, and Austria.
Much of the album was created between Paul’s studio and his Berlin apartment, a space that played a key role in shaping its atmosphere. Described as “somewhere between mid-century modern and ’70s luxury,” the setting encouraged a more stripped-back, intuitive approach.
“Many of the songs were made during a time when I wasn't planning to release an album at all. I had actually finished with album making, but then I realised how nice it is to have something that connects everything again. Some of the stuff on here, I wouldn’t even come up with today because it’s so unfiltered.”
The result is an album that feels both reflective and immediate, a return to the essence of Paul Kalkbrenner’s sound.