Present Paradox - Caesura: Document of Pandemic Times

When Present Paradox completed his second-last album in December 2019, it was not yet possible to foresee what was about to happen to the world a few months later. In a television interview, the philosopher and publicist Carolin Emcke described it as a drastic caesura that affected everyone: The Corona pandemic.
Present Paradox alias David Kleinekottmann was impacted in the same way as most musicians. The planned tour for the EP "Rails To Tomorrow" was cancelled, only a few concerts took place. Kleinekottmann decided - against his own plans - to dedicate himself to songwriting again.
A large part of the recordings for the album "Caesura" were made during the 2021 winter shutdown and the following spring and summer. The mood of uncertainty, the unpredictability of the new situation as well as the political-social climate characterize the album. It reflects the caesura in society and everyday life caused by the pandemic. But Present Paradox would not be Present Paradox, if the topic of the time of its creation would be addressed directly. Rather, the album always remains subjective, constantly alternating between introspection and observer's perspective. While "Warningtape And A Lost Bag" recreates the feeling of the first Lockdown days, the following fierce song "Ignorance Is Bliss" is dedicated to the emerging anti-scientific worldviews in politic and society.
Musically, Present Paradox's eighth album also represents a caesura. It interrupts the strong electronic orientation Kleinekottmann's project took in the past years and returns to guitar sounds. Influences from Krautrock and Folkrock dominate the sound. It sounds not like a solo project, but more like a band. The synthesizers step discreetly into the background and blend organically into the soundscape. Kleinekottmann's sound layers evoke memories of his declared idols - Radiohead, among others. For example, the six-minute "The Eyes Of All" at times seems like a twin of the song 'The Numbers' from the Brits' last album.
The biggest surprise, however, is that Kleinekottmann deviates from his concept of the mini-album for the first time. While the predecessors of "Caesura", with 6 songs per release, moved idiosyncratically somewhere between EP and LP, the new album is now a real album. According to Kleinekottmann, this is simply due to the longer production time. And the changed aspiration not to have to come up with a new release every year. "Caesura" shows the direction the train is taking on the "Rails To Tomorrow" for Present Paradox. However, „Caesura“ represents much more than just a break and transition: it is also a kind of musical time document that evokes feelings and moods from the high phases of the pandemic. One can hope that this time will soon be over and be curious about what will follow for Present Paradox.