Nur Noch Einer

German EBM pioneers DAF (Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft) had planned to start recording their first album in nearly 20 years when vocalist Gabi Delgado suddenly died of a heart attack in March of 2020. Remaining member Robert Gorl continued with the recording of the album, writing and performing lyrics himself, and basing songs on unreleased material the duo recorded back in the 80s. The first track, Erste DAF Probe, is actually a re-recording of the pairs first rehearsal after forming in Dusseldorf in 1978, which incorporated the blippy, lo-bit sounds of a stylophone. From there, Gorl reframes vintage DAF sequences, setting them to muscular drumming and adding his own cold, shadowy vocals. Hes never been as commanding or provocative as his late bandmate, and he doesnt try to imitate Delgados free-associative lyrical style or his brash sexuality and machismo. Nevertheless, Nur Noch Einer sounds unmistakably like the DAF of 1981s highly influential Alles Ist Gut and Gold und Liebe, particularly on the uptempo, racing numbers like Kunststoff and Gedanken Lesen. The acidic techno sequencer and stomping beat of Loslassen and the heavy, grinding synths of Kein Ausweg recall the bands more club-ready side, while the more reflective Ein Kind aus dem Ratinger Hof references the punk club where DAF got their start. Holland Road, the only track sung in English, also reminisces over the groups early club days. Das Geschenk wrings a lot of drama out of a very simple melodic sequence and haunting synth pads, and Gorls vocal performance is impassioned without being histrionic. Nur Noch Einer can seem a little raw and demo-ish at times, but its keeping in spirit with the bands D.I.Y. origin and the spontaneity of their best work, and fittingly honors their legacy. ~ Paul Simpson