German techno pioneer Paul Kalkbrenner has released Dreaming On, the third single from his upcoming album THE ESSENCE. The track is a hypnotic homage to Depeche Mode’s 2001 classic Dream On, reimagined through Kalkbrenner’s unique lens.
Instead of simply covering or quoting the original, Kalkbrenner reshapes it into something unmistakably his own. Melancholic depth meets organic minimalism; a stoic groove underpins floating hooks, with subtle textures unfolding patiently over time. The result is not a nostalgic remake, but a respectful continuation — a track that bridges eras while staying firmly rooted in the present.
THE ESSENCE itself has been years in the making, written and recorded in a space that merged mid-century modern aesthetics with ‘70s luxury: tungsten bulbs, vintage TVs, palm trees, and natural textures of wood and stone. This environment, both intimate and timeless, shaped the album into a collection that Kalkbrenner proudly calls his most complete work:
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“This is an album I can truly stand behind. I consider it my best. Sure, there may be more well-known hits on my other albums, but there were always two or three filler tracks. This one doesn’t have a single filler. Not even a filler moment.”
For an artist who grew up immersed in the early rave culture of ‘90s Berlin, THE ESSENCE feels like a full-circle moment. Kalkbrenner has always been more performer than DJ, carving out a path defined by live shows rather than trends. His rise was cemented by Berlin Calling and the timeless anthem Sky & Sand, milestones that made him a household name well beyond the club scene.
With eight studio albums, sold-out arena tours, Tomorrowland headline slots, and even a historic performance for 400,000 people at the Berlin Wall anniversary, Paul Kalkbrenner has consistently pushed electronic music into new cultural spaces. Dreaming On is the latest chapter in that journey — a track that pays tribute to the past while pointing confidently toward the future.
