2xc_Castle is soul-driven, acid-etched, machine music, one that encapsulates layers upon layers of subdued harmonics, and leaves only dust particles in its path.
Valesmere is new to these ears, Daddy Tank, not so much. The UK imprint continues to breath new life into lesser-known acts, putting out releases when the time is just right. 2xc_Castle is an exp-electronic mass, its disheveled IDM skeleton may slide under the radar, but it really deserves attention.
The 17 1/2-minute track titled “msb_07_Fo” is a proverbial audio kaleidoscope reaching into acidic breaks, shattered drones, constrained beatwork, and an emotional undercarriage keeping its hypnotic ebb and flow intact. This track alone is quite possibly a favorite for 2017, hands down. Harking back to early braindance, the Aphex Twin acid-swirls of “1z v 1” are just as hauntingly groovy as they are upbeat. It becomes even more noticeable that Valesmere smears the edges of classic Artificial Intelligence-era poly-rhythms, delivering trance-induced streams, next-level modular techno focus, and a penchant for quivering electronics. This theme also comes to life on the closing title track where 12 1/2-minutes slip by in an instant.
2xc_Castle is soul-driven, acid-etched, machine music, one that encapsulates layers upon layers of subdued harmonics, and leaves only dust particles in its path.
2xc_Castle is available on Daddy Tank April 14th.
