Alex Wellkers - reach the stars

​Alex Wellkers

reach the stars
self-released; 2025

By Dan Weston
​

Alex Wellkers, a musician from Zurich, has a way of reaching for the sky with his new album Reach the Stars. It is built on a rock foundation but often stretches toward something larger, almost cinematic in scope. The record feels less like background music and more like something that insists on being fully experienced, demanding that you pay attention as it builds higher and higher. The title itself sets the tone—this is music that does not want to stay grounded.

“We Knew It All” opens with an arrangement that could easily sit in a fantasy film before the drums and guitar charge in and shift the mood. The track quickly morphs into something motivational, pushing forward with one crescendo after another. “Bring Me The Keys” leans into 90s alternative rock textures, though it sneaks in faint orchestral touches that soften the edges in a compelling way. “See Me There” doubles down on the big ballad energy, confirming early on that the album is interested in spectacle and emotional intensity as much as melody.

“Desert Island” begins in a more intimate space but does not stay there long before swelling toward something epic. A few songs are sung in another language, and while I did not catch every lyric, I still found myself pulled in by the way the music carried them. “She Will Say” stands out for its different vocal inflection, almost like Wellkers is intentionally shifting character mid-album. “The Key” heads back into heavy 90s alternative territory, while “What Are You Searching For” has its own standout moments of urgency and lift.

One choice that kept catching my ear was the heavy use of chorus effects on the vocals. It gives the songs a particular shimmer, though at times it felt so pronounced that it pulled me out of the mix. Still, it added a layer of texture that made the performances distinct. This is an album that feels ready to explode even when played quietly, the kind of record that fills a room with its insistence. At its best, it feels like an alarm clock for the imagination, shaking you awake with its intensity.

What impressed me most about Reach the Stars was how committed it is to reaching higher ground. Even when the songs start in a smaller, quieter space, they almost always climb upward, chasing something grander. That ambition defines the album and gives it a restless energy. There are moments where the sheer scale threatens to overshadow the details, but Wellkers seems fully invested in that pursuit of something bigger. If you like music that wants to soar, this is an album worth hearing. It is loud, ambitious, and unafraid to stretch past its own limits.

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