ÄTNA's "Lucky Dancer": An Effervescent & Symbolic Journey on the Edge

When ÄTNA's third studio album, Lucky Dancer, begins to unfold, the metaphor of dancing on a volcano feels strikingly apt. This Dresden duo, comprising Inéz and Demian, conjures a sonic landscape across nine meticulously crafted tracks that embody crises, empathy, lightness, and escapism. The album becomes a refuge in an era brimming with uncertainty, exemplifying the power of music to create inner worlds and safe harbours amid external chaos.

Opening with “Hold My Fist High,” Lucky Dancer sets a fierce and resolute tone. Inéz’s voice, alternately distorted and pristine, resonates with tribute. Dedicated to the courageous resistance fighters in Iran, this song elevates true acts of bravery over fictional heroics, grounding the album in real-world relevance. The narrative of resilience flows into the title track, recorded in Motril, Spain, where Inéz and Demian turned the oppressive reality of a nearby forest fire into an invigorating dance anthem. The video juxtaposes an idyllic setting with contemporary existential threats, reinforcing the theme of contrasts that pervades the album.

Tracks such as “Hiatus” provide moments of levity. Here, a playful bassline underpins a carefree mood, a brief pause in the record’s otherwise intense emotional arc. This interlude evokes a night alight with fireflies, capturing fleeting joy and hinting at the ephemeral nature of peace. The haunting “Major Love” underscores ÄTNA’s visual artistry. Filmed on a swaying boat nearing a derelict oil rig, the video symbolises decay and allure, a fitting match for the lyrics that address a dystopian present: “No more future/ No more past/ All is present/ Make it last.” The track suggests solace lies not in long-term certainties but in the immediate embrace of profound love.

ÄTNA continues exploring transience in “Nothing That Will Last” and the gleaming pop piece “That Girl Is Rollercoaster.” While the latter bounces with an infectious synth line, it contemplates the duality of fleeting moments, reinforcing that after upheaval comes calm—a nod to life’s cyclical nature.

The album concludes with “All That I Am,” a theatrical collaboration with Matze Pröllochs for the Me Too-themed play Noch wach at Hamburg’s Thalia Theater. The lyrics, biting and introspective, confront societal judgement and personal resilience: “You call me a slut/ This is no more trigger… I enjoy this trip/ But your brain ain't bigger.” The final note is one of bold vulnerability, a reminder that crises carve into our human essence, leaving marks akin to dancing on volcanic rock.

In Lucky Dancer, ÄTNA transcends the German music scene’s norms, offering a mosaic of influences, from Eurodance and R'n'B to minimal music and modern classical. Their orchestral flourishes, glitchy digital textures, and vivid storytelling underscore their avant-garde craft. Collaborations with luminaries like Solomun, MEUTE, and the NDR Bigband, along with performances at SXSW and Eurosonic, cement their growing reputation. Lucky Dancer stands as a testament to their multifaceted vision, brimming with resilience and beauty in an ever-shifting world.

Listen to Lucky Dancer here: