Costelloe gazes back to the 1990s. Within the traditions of Warp, GPR and New Electronica, Solar Code takes an emotive and soulful view of machine music.
Despite not living in Ireland I still take an active interest in the music coming from my homeland. Since I last lived there, some six or seven years ago, there has been a flurry of electronic activity. Club nights, new artists and record labels have sprouted from less than fertile ground. Just as the calendars changed to 2014 Dublin’s Signal Code put out their fifth release. Continuing their Irish roster comes label boss Costelloe, formally appearing on Signal as Subsignal, with Solar Code.
“Disparate Split” is a soft, slow burning piece of Techno. Thick and lonesome bass is sliced with crisp snares, delicate bars floating from above. The track has moments of Electro to it, but it is the shrouded space chords that tether this piece to 90s UK Techno. Nick Simoncino is the first of two remixers. This House aficionado has been developing quite a reputation, dishing up 12”s for the likes of Mathematics, L.I.E.S and Echovolt. The Italian takes those haunting notes of the original and melts them with a heavy 4/4 bass, sublime strings soaring over rich rhythm patterns. Lightness and weight combine in a textured and sharp adaptation. We’re staying on the green grass of Eire with Slowburn and their interpretation of “Moon Destination.” The Irishmen toughen the original. Beats are bolstered, buttressed and broadened. Amidst drum cracks comes a meandering melody, one smeared with a taint of Acid. A tarnished and murky remake from the Dublin duo. The boss returns to close with his “Moon Destination.” Piano lines and strings return. Percussion snaps beneath a heady sky of fragile harmonies and warming tones. A cleansing close to the 12”.
Costelloe gazes back to the 1990s. Within the traditions of Warp, GPR and New Electronica, Solar Code takes an emotive and soulful view of machine music. With the bulk of this impressive EP being Irish artists, not to take away from Simoncino’s excellent remix, it’s heartening to see the electronic scene continuing to grow. Solar Code is a quality addition to the Signal Code catalog, and Costelloe a significant newcomer to the Ireland’s burgeoning electronic circle.
Solar Code is available on Signal Code.
