REVIEW: Claus Tiemann – ‘Give It Steam’

Claus Tiemann may live close to the storm-tossed coastlines of Northern Germany, but the emotional weather of his new EP ‘Give It Steam’ feels just as unpredictable. Drawing inspiration from the fantastical grit of steampunk imagery, Tiemann instead channels that aesthetic into something more personal; less goggles and gears, more ghosts and growth.

‘Give It Steam’ is an introspective collection that wears its contradictions proudly: sharp-witted yet earnest, theatrical yet deeply grounded. The result is an EP that invites interpretation with a raised eyebrow and an open heart.

Musically, there’s a vintage pulse humming beneath the surface, at times recalling cabaret’s crooked grin, at others dipping into folk and rock textures with a storyteller’s instinct. But what stands out most is Tiemann’s voice. There’s humour here, but it’s laced with ache, with tales of misadventure pointed to deeper truths.

Living near the North Sea clearly leaves a mark, not just in his lyrical references but in the mood itself. These songs breathe salt air and fog; they feel weathered but resilient, like driftwood polished by time. Tiemann makes sure every track reflects a piece of who he is: layered, reflective, and just a little unpredictable.

‘Give It Steam’ is a testament to the power of embracing one’s past while keeping an eye on the smoke curling from the future. For those seeking songs that are as thoughtful as they are original, Claus Tiemann’s latest effort offers plenty of fuel.