What makes Faust IV by Faust notable?

Faust IV is notable for its influence on both avant-garde and popular music, earning critical acclaim for its innovative approach. The album has been recognized as a cornerstone of the Krautrock genre, impacting a range of artists across different musical landscapes, from punk to electronic music. By the time Faust IV was released in 1973, Faust had already established themselves as pioneers of the Krautrock movement with their previous albums. This was their fourth studio album and showcased their continued experimentation with sound and form, building on the success of their earlier works like Faust So Far.

Faust IV works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, wave-like pacing dynamics and kaleidoscopic auditory exploration.

How many songs are on Faust IV?

Faust IV has 8 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Faust IV

Faust · 1973

44 min · 8 tracks · Krautrock

A surreal blend of experimental soundscapes and whimsical melodies that encapsulates the innovative spirit of Krautrock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Krautrock — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its hypnotic rhythms and layered textures, embodying the essence of what Krautrock represents.
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The Sad Skinhead — This track combines humor and social commentary through its quirky lyrics and upbeat tempo, showcasing Faust's unique ability to blend satire with music.
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Picnic on a Frozen River / Deuxieme Tableux — This extended piece demonstrates Faust's signature experimental style, merging ambient soundscapes with rhythmic pulses to create an immersive listening experience.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Faust IV showcases innovative compositions and distinct soundscapes, solidifying its place in Krautrock history.

What we noticed

The album opens with a track that features repetitive, hypnotic rhythms layered with abstract sound effects, setting a tone of experimentation.
Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, often shifting abruptly between different musical ideas without traditional verse-chorus forms.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

long, immersive listening sessions
wave-like pacing dynamics
kaleidoscopic auditory exploration
varied energy throughout

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time Faust IV was released in 1973, Faust had already established themselves as pioneers of the Krautrock movement with their previous albums. This was their fourth studio album and showcased their continued experimentation with sound and form, building on the success of their earlier works like Faust So Far.
Stylistic neighbors: Can· Neu!· Amon Düül II