Glimmers of light in dark times – Kohoba return with their new album Memories in Plastic, more focused than ever. Two years of reflection, experimentation and searching are distilled by the seasoned Bernese indie pop outfit into shimmering songs that gracefully balance pop appeal with emotional depth. With relaxed defiance, they play against adversity and absurdity, wrapping optimism in melody and words. Memories in Plastic is driven by the firm belief that the world is changed best while dancing – not a contradiction, but an absolute necessity.
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Long considered an insider’s tip, Kohoba have always sought the light at the end of the tunnel on their musical journey, which already includes two albums and an EP. When ideals begin to crumble and dreams seem out of reach, that’s when Kohoba rise to play against the darkness. Memories in Plastic blends a wide-ranging indie pop sound, evoking the stylistic diversity of Phoenix, the emotional ambiguity of The 1975, and the introspective groove of Parcels. The album proves that political awareness and musical immediacy are no opposites. When the world grows darker and the future blurs, we need places of refuge that don’t let us forget, but instead open new perspectives. Kohoba transform heaviness into movement – into clear 4/4 beats carried by Sebastian’s earthy vocals, Phippu’s straightforward drumming, Fabian’s shimmering guitar, and playful synths – into songs that challenge and liberate in equal measure.
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Memories in Plastic shines a light on the cracks in a world out of joint: mass consumption and the chase for status symbols, selfishness and fractured relationships. “Crony C” examines the mechanisms of a system where cronyism and self-interest have long become the norm; “Run Away” grows into an urgent gesture of liberation – a call to break free from the weight of others’ expectations and find inner peace. “Big L” confronts, with burning urgency, the consequences of the climate crisis.
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Memories in Plastic emerged partly from focused recording sessions and partly from ideas matured over years, slowly finding their final form. Pascal Sonntag, a long-time member of the Kohoba family and also the band’s live sound engineer, took on recording, production, and mixing. Hannes Meister from Bang!Drums – affectionately nicknamed “Dr. Snare” by the band – supported the process with expert drum tuning and a range of custom drum setups. Michael Gsteiger shaped Kohoba’s visual identity with his artwork and photography.