Hitting society where it hurts

Our Artist of the Month for May is not an unknown. Nicola Rost is the founder, lyricist and producer of the Berlin band Laing. “Laing” became famous through songs like “Morgens immer müde” (“Always Tired in the Morning”) or “Zeig Deine Muskeln” (“Show your Muscles”). Four strong women with big pop songs who stick out from the crowd – not least because of their complex stage design. Top ten singles, sold-out concerts, Eurovision participation, TikTok trends. After releasing 4 albums with the band, she is now releasing a solo album. Nicola is abandoning all her protective and alienating layers. So what’s left? Reduction to the maximum – which, as a music genre, may be described as “dancing synthpop”. And Nicola’s voice shines through like light. It spreads into all corners, sometimes hitting the nail on the head and shining a light on individual instances, moments of life and passions.

The artist and political scientist, born in Mannheim in 1984, grew up in the Reinickendorf district of Berlin. When it comes to music, she taught herself everything. The piano had always bored her, but the computer didn’t. Nicola sat at the computer night after night, fascinated by the possibility of recording a vocal track at her own pace, thinking about the accompaniment, or even recording a second vocal track. In the morning, university, in the evening, music nerd.

Ministry of Loneliness

Right from her first song, Nicola tackles one of the key issues of today’s society directly: loneliness. Loneliness has been the sore point of the smartphone era – and not just because of Covid, although it has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Her song “Ministerium für Einsamkeit” (“Ministry of Loneliness”) shows a new emotionality and vulnerability in her voice and in each of her lines. Carried by the song’s driving, danceable groove, Nicola leaves no doubt: it is so difficult to feel connected – a fact that sometimes leads to despair.

“And everyone asks why?

Ministry of Loneliness

Not everyone loves Saturday and Sunday

Half the city is queuing at the back door

Please touch me – but don’t touch me” [lyrics translated from German].

Sad Disco at its best. Her musical signature remains unmistakable – as with her songs for Laing. It will be different – new and yet familiar, proven and yet full of courage. It’s a step towards her audience, a hand stretched out from the stage.