Strange Audio Dreams have made a formidable opening statement with this 12”. These are tracks that have a club origin but don’t pander. They have an energy but one which is far from cheap or mass produced. With this the second cut shows a different shade of ability, an admirable subtlety and deftness of touch.
Couple of months back I went to a Borft night hosted by Femur here in Madrid. Chatting to one of the Swedish machinists, Villa Åbo aka Jan Svensson, over a sweaty cigarette the Scandinavian mentioned a move towards 90s techno and ravier moments. I was glad to hear it, feeling there had been something in the electronic waters for a while that marked a move away from the flood of house. A host of labels like 030303, Shipwrec and Polybius Trax have been flirting with the strobe soaked sounds of the dancefloor. A new imprint, or pair of imprints, are turning back the clock or at least returning to some of the foundations is Art-Aud.
This new Italian platform introduced itself with Secret Rave, a record of high velocity beats, catchy hooks and real talent. The second instalment Error Design by Strange Audio Dreams comes from the same land. The four tracker begins with the broken beat goodness of the title piece. Chords twist and bend under echoed samples for a superbly impressive opener. “Error Design #2” is a cleansing shift of style. Warming ambience. Reserved and deep the track is a wonderfully absorbing piece. The flip is occupied by remixers. The NHK yx Koyxen remix, served up by electronics veteran Kouhei Matsunaga, is a slow burning and fierce two-stepper. The finale arrives from Cardopusher. Soundscapes of the A Side are beefed up by 4/4 thump for a cracking close. Melodies from “Error Design #1” bleed in as acid bars squirm.
Strange Audio Dreams have made a formidable opening statement with this 12”. These are tracks that have a club origin but don’t pander. They have an energy but one which is far from cheap or mass produced. With this the second cut shows a different shade of ability, an admirable subtley and deftness of touch. If seen get it out on the platter, or maybe just listen below.
Error Design is available on Art-Aud.
