The German's have a distinct advantage when it comes to the surmounting language barrier stakes. The hefty cultural predominance of english.

So, i attempt to rival them deploying their own tactics. I head on to the record shop.

Half-decent lyrically driven german music?

Frowning German: The Notwist, Barbara Morgenstern, Console, Fennesz, Lali Puna...l i s t s p i r a l s a w a y

Me: Lovely glitchy soundscapes. You got anything wordier?

Disgusted German: You'll be looking for pop, then.

Me in the listening armchair, pawing at cigarette burn holes--

First, Tocotronic - allegedly a beloved german hamburg school indie band, apparently a cheesy foursome who sing that "To me, you're 3 times as beautiful'. Next, Marlene Dietrich - yes, but i knew she was awesome.
Now to Virginia Jetzt!- Twee and an exclamation mark, cheering me on for always being there for them, even when its that teensiest bit hard. Awful production, reminiscent of one's early work on garage band. Kill me.

Eager German: We've got Neu!'s 75 release, like you asked. On vinyl.

All looks well. I see the price.

Too bad, doomed never to speak hip-kid german. Fortuitously, hip-kid german is 3/4 english anyway, even Neu! knew that. And they pioneered the exclamation mark.