Autobahn  by Kraftwerk

The fourth studio release by the German band Kraftwerk is the legendary Autobahn, which was released in November 1974. Here, the German pioneers of electronic music make many evolutionary steps. In fact, it is their first album where the musical style is the one they followed in their subsequent recordings and established themselves as one of the brightest examples of electronic music. The album was mainly recorded using synthesizers and drum machines, while flute and guitar were occasionally used.

In Autobahn, the first side of the record is dominated by the eponymous song-composition (which includes lyrics) lasting 23 minutes, which was released in a three-minute version as the first single from the record. The second side contains four compositions. Behind the creation of the album are two individuals, Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider, who compose and produce the record. The recordings started at Kling Klang studios in Düsseldorf and were completed at Conny Plank studio in Cologne.

Autobahn reached No.5 on the Billboard, becoming the only album by the German pioneers to enter the Top-10 in the USA (!). In Germany, it peaked at No.7.