auch

Released in 2012, 'auch' represents Die Ärzte at their most self-assured and sonically polished. Following a five-year gap after 'Jazz ist anders', the album leans heavily into power-pop and sophisticated rock arrangements while maintaining their signature punk-rock foundation. The record is notable for its meta-commentary, particularly on the opening track 'Ist das noch Punkrock?', which addresses the band's own evolution and commercial status. Each of the three members (Farin Urlaub, Bela B, and Rodrigo González) contributes distinct songwriting styles, resulting in a diverse tracklist that ranges from heavy metal parodies to synth-inflected pop. The production is exceptionally clean, emphasizing the band's legendary three-part vocal harmonies. Critically, it was seen as a solid, if safe, addition to their massive catalog, reinforcing their status as Germany's premier rock institution through sheer melodic consistency and lyrical wit.