Krautrock

Krautrock (also called kosmische musik, German for "cosmic music"[9][10][11]) is a broad genre of experimental rock that developed in West Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[10] It originated among artists who blended elements of psychedelic rock, avant-garde composition, and electronic music, among other eclectic sources.[12] Common elements included hypnotic rhythms, extended improvisation, musique concrète techniques, and early synthesizers,[13][12] while the music generally moved away from the rhythm & blues roots and song structure found in traditional Anglo-American rock music.[14] Prominent groups associated with the krautrock label included Neu!, Can, Faust, Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Cluster, Ash Ra Tempel, Popol Vuh, Amon Düül II and Harmonia.[5]

The term "krautrock" was popularized by British music journalists as a humorous umbrella-label for the diverse German scene,[15] and although many so-labeled artists disliked the term,[16] it is no longer considered controversial by German artists in the 21st century, although English-language authors remain critical of it.[17] The movement was partly born out of the radical student protests of 1968,[18] as German youth rebelled against their country's legacy in World War II and sought a popular music distinct from traditional German music and American pop.[10] The period contributed to the development of ambient music and techno,[8] and influenced subsequent genres such as post-punk, new-age music, and post-rock.[5][19]