Møtrik come from Portland, Oregon, and are reviving the sound of early German electronic pioneers like Can, Kraftwerk and Neu!

Who knew there was a thriving “new krautrock” music scene? I’m not sure there really is, though the relentless motorik rhythm does drive several contemporary bands.

In recent years we’ve had Hookworms, Telegram and Toy, while across the Atlantic there’s been the likes of Wooden Shjips, Moon Duo and Föllakzoid.

And this band, who have even taken the name of the signature 4/4 krautrock sound for their band name.
Møtrik come from Portland, Oregon, and call themselves “America’s Best Krautrock Band,” though there may not be a huge pool from which to judge.

They’re a quartet founded in 2014 by Erik Golts (bass, synths), Lee Ritter (drums), Dave Fulton (keyboards, synths), and Cord Amato (guitars, synths).

They channel the genre pioneered by bands like Can, Neu! and Kraftwerk in the early ’70s through a kaleidoscopic prism of cosmic (aka ‘kosmische’) textures and hypnotic rhythms.

This tune, Elektrøn, came out in 2024, since when they have released another album, Earth – their sixth by my count – on the splendidly named label Jealous Butcher Records.

Synths buzz and guitars chirp as the chiming main riff takes over, lifting us into the ether before being gently returned to solid ground.