Kosmischer Läufer’s “Track Club EP” isn’t just an obscure collection of krautrock-inspired tracks; it’s a deep dive into the secretive, highly controlled and fictional world of East German athletic training, delivered with the mythic backstory of Martin Zeichnete, an elusive composer who, as the story goes, spent years creating music to inspire the country’s Olympic hopefuls. But whether Zeichnete is real or simply the alias of Edinburgh-based musician Drew McFadyen, the music speaks for itself—a mesmerizing blend of motorik rhythms, analog synths, and vivid storytelling.
Opening with “Galaxis”, the EP kicks off on a note of cosmic energy. Its pulsing beat and glistening synth lines nod to krautrock pioneers like Kraftwerk and Neu!, but with a more personal, human touch.
The second track, “Die Weiße Rose”, offers a stark contrast with its pastoral calm. The synth melodies meander like a peaceful stroll through the countryside village of Forst and are strongly reminiscent of Cluster.
Things take a darker turn with “Finsternis”. The rhythmic build and ominous synth drones evoke that unsettling moment when day turns to night. “Finsternis” layers an almost sci-fi sense of wonder with its spacey sounds. It’s the shortest track on the EP but easily one of the most haunting.
With its minimal structure and glitchy, fragmented sound, the following track “Staub” — literally translated as “dust”— feels like a curious fragment.
The EP closes with the sprawling 11-minute epic, “Flug 164”. Here, Kosmischer Läufer delivers their most hypnotic motorik rhythms, an ode to motion, speed, and endurance. The mechanical, driving beat is perfectly fitting for the project’s athletic backstory. “Flug 164” locks into a steady, propulsive groove, its repetitive structure pulling the listener into a trance. The track’s length allows for an immersive experience, where each layer of sound builds upon the last, resulting in a truly entrancing finale.
The music of “Track Club EP” stands on its own. It’s a fascinating collection that blends history, mythology, and sonic experimentation, offering a glimpse into an alternate musical reality—one where the Iron Curtain couldn’t suppress creativity, but perhaps even helped fuel its fire. Whether you buy into the backstory or not, the EP succeeds in crafting a unique, otherworldly atmosphere, echoing the spirit of kosmische music while carving out its own niche in the electronic landscape.
