Electro Recommendations August 2012

Review: Marco Bernardi has released on some of the world's finest electro imprints, and on this record Abstract Forms delivers his enchanting electro-minimal style. Right from the start of "Stormfighter 3.5" we're thrown headfirst into a boisterous bundle of squawking bass timbres and elastic percussion dabs., while "Kill The Worm" boasts a truly awesome lo-fi drum kit and a killer set of computerised robot vocals. On the flip, "Ditsmer Pole" sounds a bit like Dracula's nightmare, a raw and infectious organ-like electro chord which bounces up and down in a fit of panic. "Bugs In The Virus" is not actually as nasty as it sounds, taking the beat down to a steady level and overflowing the track with gorgeous synth keys and long, explosive snares.

Review: The fifth release from Dutch acid junkies 030303 sees the debut of mystery producer Fah, and gets off to a superlative start with "Fine Space" which is a tripped-out electro excursion that uses subtle hints of the 303, whilst melancholic female vocals are taken apart by dripping effects. Fah ups the tempo with "Bonus Orbits" and the results fall somewhere between Legowelt and Aphex Twin on a happy day, whilst "Sixears" demonstrates this unknown quantity's talent for dabbling in smudgey textures. The title track "Galaxy Dust" opens the flip, focusing on a more broken rhythmic approach which allows the space for sharp claps and hi-hats to fire frantically between menacing rave sounds and sci-fi melodies. The tempo shifts again on the final track "Sad Acid" where Fah creates a beautifully slow, chugging groove with hints of hip hop influence that forms the backdrop to a fine arrangement of warm acidic chords and beats.

Review: Thomas Werner aka Dynamik Bass System has been pushing his own strand of high-powered electro this year, largely via his own Robotmachine Records. The title track brings forth some robot vocals and places them next to tough and driving 808 slices, while "Invasion Beats" does exactly what it says on the cover and removes the vocals in favour of a strict beatdown injection. On the B-side, "Out Of Control" is back in computer land, sounding something like Kraftwerk after a hefty dose of speed, leaving the punchy kicks of its instrumental, "Control Beats" to work their magic.

Review: Despite still being in his 20s, Niels Luinenberg has already released a string of acclaimed EPs and has showcased his impressive DJing skills through gigs around Europe and a series of excellent online mixes, as well as this year's Inertia compilation. Can he now take the next step and translate his skills to the album format? "Frozen Land" starts the album in contemplative mode as austere synths unravel over slow-paced, shuffling drums. It's followed by "Enter", where robotic vocals and seared acid lines underpin a slow-motion, ominous bass. Together, these tracks make for an atmospheric opening. Traces then shifts from the esoteric to the visceral, as "Redemption" rides heavy claps and rough acid lines; "Target" unfolds to cavernous drums and heavy tribal beats, while "And If You Know" features scatter-gun percussion and a "Losing Control"-style pitched down vocal sample. The parting shot, "On A Distant Journey" is perhaps the album's finest moment. It sees Luinenberg draw inspiration again from the classic techno and electro sounds that feature in his sets. Delta Funktionen may not have Forward Strategy Group's experimental edge or Shifted's unique sound design, but on Traces he proves himself to be one of the few to thrive in this most adverse setting for techno producers.