Modeselektor - Classics Vol. 1 (We tried hard and failed again... enjoy!) (2026) [Hi-Res]

Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary hardly need an introduction. Since the early 2000s, the East Berlin duo has evolved from local techno innovators into a globally established force. Along the way they founded Monkeytown Records, a creative hub that now spans their own releases and an eclectic roster of artists across genres.

Friendship, openness and an unshakable curiosity have always defined MODESELEKTOR. Their sound has never stayed in one lane, diving headfirst into IDM, hip hop, UK bass, breaks, house and ambient. Collaboration has been equally essential. Their albums and live shows have featured artists like Thom Yorke, Tommy Cash, Flohio, Siriusmo, Blixa Bargeld, Iggor Cavalera, Catnapp, Otto Von Schirach, Paul St. Hilaire, Omar Souleyman, Anti Pop Consortium, Miss Platnum and many more. Bronsert and Szary have always created as one, rarely working separately.

Their work with Sascha Ring, aka Apparat, as Moderat opened an entirely new chapter, leading to sold-out tours and arena shows. When Apparat returned to his solo work, MODESELEKTOR took a needed break, retreating to the studio with renewed purpose. The turning point came with their contribution to the K7! DJ-Kicks series, which allowed them to reexamine their catalogue from a fresh angle and sparked the next phase of their evolution.

Now MODESELEKTOR present Classics Vol. 1, a special release that distills the story of their career into a musical CV and sets the stage for an extravagant live tour. Initially conceived as a reconstruction of "Hello Mom!" and "Happy Birthday!", the project grew into something entirely new. Working with Johannes Wagner, they rebuilt eight foundational tracks — “KILL BILL Vol. 4,” “Tetrispack,” “Black Block,” “Suckerpin,” “Ziq Zaq,” “EM Ocean,” and “Edgar” — not from old files but from the ground up. The result feels less like a retrospective and more like a glimpse of what lies ahead: a bold experiment and a thrilling misstep in the best possible way.

'Classics Vol. 1' forms a bridge between past, present and future, capturing everything that defines MODESELEKTOR: boundless curiosity, joyful chaos, sharp humor, and an unshakeable urge to reinvent themselves again and again. One thing is certain: more new music is on the way from Monkeytown Records.