If you’re looking to sink into the darker side of your imagination this weekend, Berlin’s own Maximilian Seifert, better known by his stage name SPELL TROUBLE, has just the track for you. His latest release, “Soft Fantasy,” is the second in a series of digital singles being rolled out this year via the Swiss label Irascible Music, and it’s set to pull you into a world where daydreams collide with dystopian reality.
“Soft Fantasy” kicks off with a moody, almost romantic vibe that quickly transforms into a haunting journey through darkwave and synth-laden landscapes.
The track feels like a cinematic plunge into the rabbit hole, where the everyday mundanity traps its protagonists in a dream that edges closer to a nightmare. With each beat and reverb-soaked vocal, you’re led deeper into this eerie narrative, culminating in a pulsating finale that is as unsettling as it is captivating.
SPELL TROUBLE is about crafting an escape.
Seifert’s sound is rooted in unpolished nostalgia, blending indie accessibility with the raw, emotional depth of new wave influences. His lyrics are a deep dive into self-reflection and the often tumultuous journey of introspection, making “Soft Fantasy” a narrative that questions the thin line between fantasy and reality.
Unlike his debut single “Thorn Armor,” which revolved around the concept of emotional escape, “Soft Fantasy” invites listeners to witness the lives of two dreamers on the cusp of their breakthrough—only to find their romantic visions slowly eroded by the harsh grind of reality.
The opening lines, “You and me forever, purple clouds in heaven,” set a serene scene that quickly contrasts with the later, more jarring “Caged birds seeking pleasure.” It’s a perfect example of SPELL TROUBLE’s knack for leading listeners into a false sense of security before pulling the rug out from under them.
Seifert’s journey as a musician began in the late 2000s, cutting his teeth in the East German metal scene before relocating to Berlin, the electronic music capital.
Here, he fully embraced his love for distorted guitars and the rhythmic beats of nostalgic drum machines like the LinnDrum and TR-808.
Drawing inspiration from the new wave bands of the late ’70s and ’80s, he’s carved out a unique sound that blends the raw, introspective energy of indie music with the hypnotic pull of darkwave and post-punk.
Whether you’re a fan of JOY DIVISION, BOY HARSHER, or even more modern acts like TR/ST and YVES TUMOR, SPELL TROUBLE’s “Soft Fantasy” offers a fresh yet familiar soundscape.
