Paso Doble represents the 'second wave' of the Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW), moving away from the movement's post-punk roots toward a highly produced, synth-heavy pop sound. Formed in 1983 by Frank Oberpichler (Hieber) and Rale Oberpichler, the duo leveraged Frank's massive success as the producer of Peter Schilling's 'Major Tom' to create a sound that was technically superior to many of their contemporaries.
Their sound identity is built on sophisticated Fairlight-era sequencing, crystalline digital synths, and Rale's background in theatrical and children's music, which lent a unique whimsy to their delivery. While the NDW was fading by their 1985 peak, Paso Doble's hits like 'Computerliebe' and 'Herz an Herz' became permanent fixtures in the German pop canon. Their influence persisted through the 90s, most notably when Blümchen's rave-pop cover of 'Herz an Herz' became a multi-platinum hit. Critically, they are respected for bringing a level of performance art and visual discipline to the genre that was rare among their peers.
Shares synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres); digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style)
Shares digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style); synth-pop, new wave, art pop (subgenres)
Shares synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres); digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style)
Shares synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres); digital_clarity, studio_polished, layered_dense (production style)
Shares digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style); synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres)
Shares synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres); digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style)
Shares synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres); digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style)
Shares synth-pop, dance-pop, new wave (subgenres); digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style)
Shares synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres); digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style)
Shares synth-pop, new wave, dance-pop (subgenres); digital_clarity, drum_machine, studio_polished (production style)
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