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 popularised by British music journalists as a humorous umbrella-label for the diverse German scene,^[15] and although many such artists disliked the term,^[16] it is no longer considered controversial by German artists in the 21st century. Despite this, 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]