Cosmic Mints have never been particularly concerned with where exactly the boundaries between genres lie, and on their second album, “Near Mint,” they blend blues rock, hard rock, psychedelic, soul, and progressive rock—all in a fresh, contemporary mix that’s constantly evolving.

Alexander Emmert (vocals), Joey Ssymank (bass), Sven Maurer (drums), Julian Weyand (keys), and Attilio Ferrarese (guitar) have recorded an album that clearly has its roots in the rock history of the ’60s and ’70s, but never gets stuck in retro mode. The band itself calls this “Psychedelic Fuzz & Roll”—a sound that brings together heavy guitars, warm Hammond and keyboard pads, soul and blues elements, electronic components, and progressive songwriting ideas.

The eight songs thrive on their wealth of ideas. They’re songs that take their time, constantly shift direction, and break out of their own framework, yet never feel unnecessarily overloaded. Melodic passages meet heaviness, groovy sections meet psychedelic excursions, and time and again, little doors open into their quirky and colorful soundscapes—ones you wouldn’t necessarily have expected beforehand. Songs that remain compact, catchy, and light.

“Near Mint” is also an album with a story behind it. Their self-titled debut, “Cosmic Mints,” was released in 2020—of all years, during the pandemic, and thus at a time that couldn’t have been more inopportune. No shows, botched streaming broadcasts, a lot of effort for little return. These years took their toll on the band, but it seems they’ve emerged from this phase stronger than ever. The Freiburg-based band went through several lineup changes before the founding members reunited as a quintet. “Near Mint” thus also brings together the experiences and musical developments from these intense years.
Perhaps that is precisely what gives the album its special quality: Cosmic Mints sound familiar without ever becoming predictable. They’ve matured, and with “Near Mint,” they deliver a diverse and electrifying statement that bridges the gap between retro and modern. Music for anyone who loves rock but is open to something new.