Kraftwerk’s Telephone Call (Der Telefon-Anruf) emerged as a single in 1987, encapsulating the band’s enduring intrigue with the intersection of humanity and machinery. Unlike most Kraftwerk tracks, where Ralf Hütter or Florian Schneider took center stage, this song featured Karl Bartos on lead vocals. His gentle, suave voice, paired with the band’s trademark vocoder effects and the nostalgic beeps of 1980s telecommunication, imparts a unique charm. It shifts away from the cold, robotic sound often associated with Kraftwerk, instead offering something more melodic and tender.
In 2024, REWORK—comprising Michael Kuebler, Daniel Varga, and a few guest vocalists—released their own take on this classic, under their label, exlove records. Their version honors the spirit of the original while infusing it with expansive synth pads that replace the familiar beep-boops. The result is a minimalist beat and pulsing synth undercurrent, enriched by a sultry, resonant female vocal reminiscent of the late Françoise Hardy and Jane Birkin, as well as the cover stylings of Nouvelle Vague. This rendition stands as both a homage and a reimagining, breathing new life into the timeless dialogue between human emotion and technological sound.
Watch the video for “Telephone Call” below:
In 2024, REWORK dropped their new EP Lipstick and quickly followed it up with the album Never Again, featuring Telephone Call. Both releases came out on their self-founded label, exlove records. The album is drenched in dark, brooding vibes, with spacious, minimalist compositions that signal a definitive evolution in their sound.
Recorded and mixed at their own Technique Studios, the tracks were given new life by remix legends like Trentemøller, Magda, Roman Flügel, Alter Ego, Losoul, Fur Coat, Paranoid London, and the lateAndrew Weatherall. REWORK’s tunes have also landed on various compilations, including Richie Hawtin’s Closer To The Edit, the Famous When Dead series, and Magda’s Balance 27 Mix.
You can order and listen to Telephone Call here.
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