Bromsen Releases "Data Highway" and Connects with Us to Discuss Their Electrifying New Sound
- STAFF
- Aug 25
- 8 min read
By: Staff
“Data Highway” is a stunning sonic masterpiece, bold, mesmerizing, and utterly unforgettable.
Bromsen's latest release, "Data Highway," is an electrifying ride through the ever-evolving digital landscape, a fusion of hypnotic beats, pulsating synths, and a sense of urgency that captures the tension between hyperconnectivity and isolation. The Berlin-based duo, alongside renowned producer Reatsch, invites listeners into a neon-lit world where time seems to both stretch and collapse, blending retro synthwave aesthetics with modern electronic energy. The track pulses with a relentless energy, yet carries an underlying message about the emotional labyrinth of the digital age.
We spoke with the artists behind this sonic journey about everything from the complex emotions fueling the track to their experiences navigating a world governed by screens. We dove deep into how the song’s title came to life, how nostalgia influences their sound, and the role their recent collaborations played in shaping the final product. They also gave insight into how their live performance has evolved with the addition of new elements, and where they see their music heading in the future.
From the experience of creating music in the digital age to the meaning behind their mysterious artist name, Bromsen offers a captivating glimpse into their creative process. This interview takes you behind the scenes of one of the most thrilling releases of the year.
Keep scrolling to get into it with Bromsen.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Bromsen, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We were really blown away by the VEVO video for "Data Highway." First of all, the exhilarating beats and dynamic synths had this hypnotic effect, almost like they were coming at us from all directions, it was an outstanding experience. Additionally, the delivery of your vocals was mesmerizing. It felt like we were being pulled into a quiet world with no choice but to immerse ourselves completely. Towards the end, with the “main camera” shots, we really felt the arc of the video. Showing human forms in what felt like a digitized world was brilliant. Bravo for giving us such an incredible visual experience. What were the key ideas or emotions you wanted the video to convey in parallel with the song that you can explain for us in more detail?
A. Thank you so much for these kind words—it really means a lot to us. With Data Highway we didn’t want to paint the digital era in simple black-and-white terms. The song itself describes a state of being: riding this wave of hyperconnectivity that can carry you into unknown territories and dizzying heights, while at the same time reminding you that real life remains the anchor you should never lose—even in the middle of that “rush.”
That duality was something we wanted to show in the video too. The futuristic, digitized imagery represents the exhilaration and the pull of the virtual world, but bringing in the “human” layer was essential to us—almost like a reminder of the ground beneath the neon lights.
Creating the video was also about combining the different perspectives of each of us in the band/project and finding a shared visual language that matched the energy of the song. It was intense at times—creatively and emotionally it pushed us close to our limits—but in the end, we’re proud of the result. For us, the video stands shoulder to shoulder with the track itself, not just as a companion piece but as an equal expression of its force and emotion.
Q. The concept of hyperconnectivity is a central theme in "Data Highway." Was there a specific moment or experience in your life that sparked this idea, or was it more of a gradual reflection on the digital age?
A. That’s a great question. For us it wasn’t a single lightning-bolt moment, but more a reflection of the world we’re all living in right now. We’re surrounded by an overload of information every day, and each of us has to decide how much of it we let into our lives—and when to consciously shut it out, even if just for a while.
The digital age has amplified this, but the impulse itself comes from our “analog” reality too. That constant tension between being connected and needing distance was very much part of the creative spark for Data Highway.
And because our lyrics never come from a drawing board, but always from the deeper maelstrom of emotions and thoughts that drive us daily, this theme naturally surfaced. It’s less about a calculated critique, and more about channeling the spirit of the times we’re moving through.
Q. Can you tell us how you landed on the title "Data Highway," and was this the first choice for the track, or did the title evolve during the creative process?
A. That one was pure maelstrom effect. I started humming along to the melody—and out of nowhere the line “Data Highway” just surfaced. It was one of those moments where you instantly know: this isn’t just a lyric, it’s the title. From that point on, the song had its own identity, like a superbeing, and everything else developed naturally around it.
Q. The lyrics in "Data Highway" paint a vivid picture of the tension between constant connection and the feeling of isolation. How do you personally navigate that balance in your own life?
A. For us, it’s really about balance. There are moments when we thrive on connection—being surrounded by people, exchanging ideas, sharing energy. And there are moments when solitude becomes essential, when you need space to recharge and listen inward. Each of us has a very personal way of navigating that rhythm, but the key is having the freedom to move between both worlds. What feels dangerous is when you get stuck at one extreme—whether it’s total isolation or constant connectivity. The balance is what keeps us grounded.
Q. In the chorus, there’s a paradoxical idea of "eating time" while driving on the digital highway. How do you interpret the relationship between time and technology in our fast-paced world, and how does it reflect your own experience?
A. That line came from the sense that technology often feels like it bends our perception of time. Growing up, we had a certain picture of how human progress unfolds—something more like a steady diagonal line. But in the last few decades, the leaps have been so extreme that it can feel almost exponential, like we’re suddenly moving in fast-forward. On the digital highway, minutes blur into hours, days feel compressed, and yet somehow we’re still racing to keep up. That paradox—that we’re “eating time” while time itself seems to accelerate—is very much part of our lived experience.
Q. What role does nostalgia play in your music, particularly in “Data Highway,” which blends retro synth aesthetics with modern electronic elements? How do you feel the past and future coexist within your sound?
A. What some people perceive as nostalgia in our sound is really just a reflection of where we come from. We grew up in a time when the “digital” world still felt very “analog,” and those textures and tones left a deep mark on us. We genuinely love that sound, so it naturally finds its way back into our music. In a way, it’s less about deliberately being retro and more about expressing our own emotional landscape. “Data Highway” embodies that coexistence—the past woven into the fabric of the future, both colliding in a way that feels true to who we are.
Q. How much do you see your music as a form of social commentary, especially regarding the way we interact with technology today? Is it more of a warning, an exploration, or a mix of both?
A. We don’t see our songs as warnings—they’re much more a reflection of what’s going on inside of us. The themes in “Data Highway” mirror our own thoughts and feelings about how we move through this hyperconnected world. Of course, listeners can draw their own conclusions, but it’s not about telling anyone how to live. It’s more about sharing our perspective, opening a space for reflection, and letting the music speak its truth.
Q. Can you describe the collaborative process with Robert “Reatsch” Eydner? How did his production style influence the final sound of "Data Highway"?
A. We’ve always loved Reatsch’s sound, and in this case it all started with the raw, unmistakable tone of his Dave Smith Mopho. Reatsch and Richard then gradually built the instrumental framework—layer by layer, until the track had that futuristic drive we were looking for. Once the structure was there, I wove in the vocal melody and lyrics, which we then fine-tuned together in the studio session. It was a very organic process, and you can really hear how his production style gave “Data Highway” its pulse and atmosphere.
Q. With the addition of Bon Schmelke on drums, how has your live performance dynamic evolved? What new elements do you feel his presence has brought to your sound, both in the studio and on stage?
A. Bon is an absolute beast on the drums—full of energy, precision, and creative sparks. Right now, we’re still deep in the creative phase, shaping new material together, but in parallel we’re already sketching how to expand our live sound. His presence adds a whole new physicality and drive that will definitely take our performances to the next level once we hit the stage.
Q. You’ve garnered attention from major publications like Rolling Stone en Español and Earmilk. How do you process this recognition? Does it change your approach to music, or does it affirm that you’re on the right path?
A. We don’t exactly sit down thinking, “okay, what would Rolling Stone want us to write today?” 😄 Our songs never come from that place. They grow out of instinct and emotion, not strategy. That’s why we’re honestly delighted when outlets like Rolling Stone en Español or Earmilk decide to write about us—it feels like a bonus gift. But it doesn’t change the way we create. The music leads, and if people want to come along for the ride, all the better.
Q. You’ve described the track as a journey. As artists, do you ever feel like you’re “arriving” at a destination with your music, or is it more about continuously exploring new sonic territories?
A. For us it’s all about the ride, not the destination. Each track is a new discovery—once you feel you’ve “arrived,” the journey is over, and that’s not where we want to be.
Q. We’d love to dive deeper into the story behind your artist name, "Bromsen." Now that we’ve had the chance to experience your music, your fans are likely curious about the meaning behind the name that represents your sound. How does "Bromsen" connect to the music you create, what significance does it hold for you personally, and what is the origin or backstory behind it?
A. That’s a great question—and honestly, it has more than one answer. One of the key moments was a train ride with our old band on the way to a gig at Munich’s legendary Backstage. Somewhere between the jokes, the chaos, and the anticipation, the name “Bromsen” was born.
But of course, some mysteries need to remain—otherwise life gets boring, right? 😉 We invite people to come up with their wildest theories, and we can assure you: the real story is even wilder.
Q. Looking ahead, what direction are you excited to explore in your music? Is there a new element, sound, or genre that you feel particularly drawn to experiment with next, especially after the success of "Data Highway"?
A. The future? Think Morricone on the horizon—faint, mysterious… and full of surprises. Stay tuned 😀🔥.
Bromsen, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Bromsen’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
