Following Elektronische Werke and The Crystal Issue Cycle comes The Hubble Telescope Series. This latest set of releases are an homage to the eponymous instrument and the images it has captured.
Solar One Music seem to like a sub-series, especially a sub-series with a very long name. Following Elektronische Werke and The Crystal Issue Cycle comes The Hubble Telescope Series. This latest set of releases are an homage to the eponymous instrument and the images it has captured.
To begin comes a new name. Luxus Varta. Little is known about the artist, real name Emeric Di Paolo. A Discogs search will find little more than an appearance on a Detroit Grand Pubah’s album, but don’t let a lack of back catalog put you off; Mr Di Paolo has something to say.
“Kuft” screams into being. Big basslines are sliced by fuzzed out snare. The track is fast, beats pushing around the 135 per minute mark as cascading chords attempt to add some chill. “Ieloh” follows. The ferocity of the opener is levelled. Crunchy drums are softened by meandering bars, lilting harmonies prodded by crisp hi-hats and subtle shifts. “Floo” is an interlude. Spoken words, from Black Paris FU of Grand Detroit Pubahs, discusses man’s place in the machine age as ambient undercurrents swirl. The human voice is carried into the bending and curving “Breigs.” The frost of previous pieces is present, a steady pulsing rhythm keeping the various elements in check. Samples are kept for the finale. Claustrophobic, “Voxpol” burbles and bulges as a steady sense of the sinister builds to cap this first excursion beyond the stratosphere.
The Hubble Telescope Series’ press sheet notes exciting contributors across future EPs. Heinrich Mueller. E.R.P. The Exaltics. But Luxus Varta deserves credit for what he’s achieved with this opening 12”. Everything is Nothing is an absorbing and engaging 12”, one that combines electro with abstraction for an intense and inspired inauguration.
Everything is Nothing is available on Solar One Music.
