Miss Mellow are an intriguing German band blending Funky rhythms with Progressive-Psychedelic Rock and Krautrock influences. Following their well-received debut album, which you can read about [HERE], the band returns with an ambitious new record featuring nine tracks, including three expansive suites. Titled “Dancing Through The Earth, the album was released on May 23, 2025, via Sound Effect Records. The album opens with the title-track suite spanning the first four tracks, a sprawling journey that sets the tone right from the start. The initial movement delivers a burst of energy, driven by a fast-paced rhythm section reminiscent of Krautrock. Noteworthy are the intricate interplays between guitar and keyboards, accompanied by incisive vocals that weave a tapestry combining Krautrock, Prog, and Post-Punk elements. As the suite progresses, it shifts atmospheres dramatically. The second movement introduces lush guitar and keyboard layers, evoking the softer grooves of Funky Music infused with a strong dose of Progressive intensity and Psychedelic guitar touches reminiscent of Floydian soundscapes. The band gradually segues into a rhythmically charged finale featuring keyboards prominently, pulling the listener back toward the band’s more overtly Prog roots. The third section, the shortest of the four, revisits the opening sonorities before evolving into a complex fusion of the initial and second themes. Here, a hypnotic, powerful, and majestic organ provides the backbone over which a dynamic vocal line enriched by acid-like effects adds a distinctive coloration to the sound. The suite culminates in a fourth segment that fuses modern Krautrock with Funky rhythms, highlighted by catchy choral refrains that invite engagement. The continuous tempo shifts allow Miss Mellow to explore and intertwine diverse genres and styles, creating a soundscape that pays homage to ‘70s Funk with keyboards and bass taking center stage. The instrumental section, carrying through to the finale, features an elegant guitar-keyboard duet, closed by choral harmonies that round off the suite with finesse. “Kanonen” lives up to its explosive title, propelled by a dynamic and engaging rhythm section featuring masterful funky bass lines. The track’s tempo changes usher in heavier sonorities, balanced by expressive and energetic vocals. Guitar and keyboard lines intertwine, enhanced by echo effects that nod toward ‘70s Krautrock and Funk. In its latter half, the band builds an intense instrumental segment imbued with progressive elements, concluding with a rapid reprise of the opening theme underscored by razor-sharp riffs and an accelerated rhythm. “Prelude” serves as a retro-flavored interlude, featuring piano with vintage effects and choral vocals. True to its name, it anticipates the next suite, which unfolds across the following two tracks. “Blackout” embarks on an eclectic and immersive sound journey, which could be labeled as ‘Progressive Funk’ due to its Funky thematic core, but it is constantly evolving through tempo shifts and intricate guitar-keyboard textures. Vocals alternate with instrumental passages, blending Funky motifs with Psych-Prog atmospheres. The piece is a technical and energetic tour de force, defying easy genre classification and asserting a unique and personal style. Its extended length is leveraged to develop dynamic rhythms, captivating guitar and keyboard lines, and subtle echoes of UK band Paladin’s sound. The suite’s second half envelops the listener in a more atmospheric and vintage-tinged Prog sound, delivered with a modern and distinctive flair. Guitar and keyboard interplay creates a hypnotic effect, while the rhythm section enriches the texture with tempo variations and funky grooves, anchored by a deep and resonant bass line. Closing the album, the 12-minute “Stop The Strive” is a rhythmically engaging track infused with Folk influences. It is another eclectic piece characterized by original traits, mixing Psychedelic Folk elements, driving rhythms enhanced by percussion, and Psychedelic electric guitar flourishes. The composition showcases multiple facets, blending Progressive, Psychedelic, Folk, Funky, and Krautrock elements into a cohesive and original style. Its tempo changes add further value, allowing the themes to unfold through extended instrumental sections alternating with evocative vocals. “Dancing Through The Earth” confirms and expands upon the promise shown in Miss Mellow’s previous work, consolidating a distinctive sound that is both intricate and accessible. With three ambitious suites woven into a refined concept album, the band demonstrates maturity in their compositions, delivering a rich fusion of genres and styles linked by their personal sonic identity. Funk, Prog, Psychedelia, and Krautrock blend seamlessly, resulting in one of the most compelling albums heard this year.
Tracklist
01. Dancing Through The Earth I (02:34)
02. Dancing Through The Earth II (04:44)
03. Dancing Through The Earth III (02:21)
04. Dancing Through The Earth IV (04:33)
05. Kanonen (04:49)
06. Prelude (01:38)
07. Blackout I (08:24)
08. Blackout II (05:08)
09. Stop The Strive (12:17)
Lineup
Joshua Lilienthal / Guitar, Vocals
David Stockinger / Bass, Vocals
Michele Loria / Guitar, Keys, Vocals
Niccolò Schmitter / Drums
Special Guests:
Junsuke Kondo / Guitar, Vocals on Stop The Strive
Jojo Winter / Percussion
Read our 2023 Exclusive interview with the band here: [Interview] Exclusive interview with Miss Mellow
Read our Review of their debut album here: [Review] Miss Mellow – Miss Mellow