Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier, the minds behind Booka Shade, will release their latest album, ‘For Real,’ to celebrate the imprint’s 150th offering. At the forefront of electronic music for over twenty-five years, with a career spanning from seminal club anthems to GRAMMY-nominated productions, the German duo continue to help shape the melodic house and techno landscape with their innovative approach and renowned live performances.
“There has long been a plan to delve deep into our archive and search for those lost ideas that have accumulated over the years. Songs which, for whatever reason, didn’t fit onto one of our albums or EP’s, but we always really liked. At the beginning of 2024, it was finally time to tackle this project and to finalise some of these lost treasures. Now it‘s ‘For Real.’” – Booka Shade.
Bringing the pair’s twelfth studio album to the fore, the project sees the pair returning to a more organic, melodic-led sound. Featuring recent standout singles such as ‘P.I.N. 4,’ ‘(Neon Lights) They Glow,’ ‘Save Me’ and ‘Your Command,’ alongside fresh productions that showcase their continued passion for electronic exploration. The duo share: “‘For Real’ takes us back to the organic and melodic sound of Booka Shade, a bit more in the tradition of the ‘EVE’ album.”
The eleven-track album flows through a journey of warm, emotive soundscapes, weaving together intricate melodies and rich harmonies with crisp, precise production. Each track embodies a deep sense of musicality, with soaring synths and organic textures driving the project’s narrative. The duo’s ability to blend pulsating rhythms with melancholic undertones is on full display, offering a collection that is as introspective as it is dancefloor-ready. From the hazy, groove-infused ‘Electric Birds’ to the charismatic and commanding ‘Virtual Face,’ ‘For Real’ is an immersive sonic experience highlighting their wide-reaching artistry.
The album’s release also coincides with Booka Shade’s extensive ‘For Real’ album tour, which brings their live show to key locations across Europe, with a special release party at Säälchen in Berlin on 22nd March. With ‘For Real’, Booka Shade reaffirm their status as one of electronic music’s most consistent acts, combining their signature sound with fresh sonic textures and influences and delivering an album set to capture the imagination of long-time fans and new listeners alike.
You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Electric Birds’ exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!
Release Date: March 21st, 2025. Buy Here
Booka Shade: Instagram // SoundCloud
Blaufield Music: Instagram // SoundCloud