Essential Krautrock Albums of The 1970s

Emerging from the radical Amon Düül II was at the forefront of the West German krautrock movement. Their second album Yeti features a mix of structured songs and improvisational tracks that many view as a catalyst for the entire space rock subgenre. The album’s ambient textures and psychedelic explorations of immersive and aggressive atmospheres have cemented Yeti’s legacy as a cornerstone of kosmische music.

Recorded in a medieval castle with sessions lasting up to 16 hours a day, musique concrète tape editing techniques empowered Can to draw inspiration from a wide range of influences and blend avant-garde takes on jazz, electronic, and funk in an incredibly impactful way. Over five decades later, Tago Mago maintains its status as one of krautrock’s most ambitious and influential works. 

Released in 1971, art rock and laid the groundwork for industrial music and noise rock. For anyone looking for a krautrock album that is as influential as it is unconventional, Faust’s self-titled album is a must-listen.

Cluster’s self-titled debut takes krautrock to the outer reaches of the cosmos where there is very little rock to be found. Armed with a couple organs, audio-generators, a lap steel guitar, and an electronically treated cello, Cluster put their own unique spin on kosmische music with proto-ambient washes, noisy , and unidentifiable sonics that make listeners feel like they’re floating through the darkest reaches of space. For a darkly hypnotic krautrock experience, put on Cluster’s first album and get swept up in the otherworldly sounds.

Formed by krautrock legends Ash Ra Tempel released their legendary self-titled debut in 1971. Göttsching’s mind-altering guitar work and Schulze’s mesmerizing percussion and keyboards showcase a unique blend of technical ability and fluidity as the album’s free-form jams also sound cohesive and intentional. Progressive, psychedelic, calming, and climactic, Ash Ra Tempel’s first album is a krautrock essential, especially for those most interested in exploring the rock part. 

The debut album from Neu! helped pioneer the “motorik” beat, a 4/4 drumbeat that holds a steady rhythm with only occasional interruptions. This iconic rhythm became one of krautrock’s most recognizable creations as fellow German groups like Can and Kraftwerk also used the drumbeat to great effect. Beyond the album’s profound rhythmic influence on krautrock, psychedelic rock, post-punk, and indie rock, Neu!’s debut maintains an intoxicating balance of being driving, dreamy, droney, and dynamic all at the same time. 

Berlin-School sound, a synthesizer-centric strain of krautrock that has been characterized by its space music atmospherics and its later influence on electronica, new-age, and trance.

Released to mixed reviews in 1974, Autobahn has since become recognized as a landmark krautrock record and a pivotal album for one of ’s most beloved musical exports. With Autobahn, shortened single version of the title track becoming an international hit and Kraftwerk’s continued success as purveyors of experimental electronic pop.

Harmonia 76.

Klaus Dinger formed La Düsseldorf in 1975 after the original dissolution of Neu! Dinger was able to allow his playfulness, penchant for minimalism, and more aggressive tendencies to come to the forefront as La Düsseldorf’s debut features propulsive rhythms, light-hearted vocal approaches, and plenty of space for synths to swirl and pulsate. These expertly crafted krautrock songs would prove to have an immense influence on David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy and the emerging punk and post-punk scenes of the late 1970s.