Even if we’re unlikely to see an entire album of new material like this from 2814 any time soon, wouldn’t it be a dream come true if 2814 could take up the mantle abandoned by a faltering Burial and release a two or three track EP like this every year? It’s music like this that makes one glad to be alive. Please?
Kicking off with an experimental EP by Rian Traenor in early 2018, Warp recently relaunched is short-lived Arcola label that first surfaced in 2003, most notably with a classic twelve by the hugely underrated Brothomstates. In an independent industry flooded almost daily new techno and house releases, it’s understandable that Warp have resurrected the label to house more dance and club-oriented content, cleanly separating it from their main catalogue of more familiar releases. The Designers Republic make a welcome return, providing the customary overarching style with cleverly die-cut, spot-gloss and debossed house outer sleeves and custom printed but consistent inners.
That the second entry in the series is by none other than Dream Catalogue founder HKE and vaporwave producer t e l e p a t h’s critically acclaimed and hugely popular 2814 project is a huge surprise, but even more so is the content of this new twelve. HKE has often been quite vocal about never wanting to stand still, in particularly when it comes to moving on from the sound that made 新しい日の誕生 (Birth of a New Day) – Igloo Review such a massive success. This was ably evinced by the shift in direction on the third 2814 LP Rain Temple, much to the initial disappointment of many.
Arc12 (it has no other full title) might just be two tracks, but they are of the most vital kind, seeing 2814 head in a more dub/ambient techno direction than ever before. Familiar 2814 tropes are all there in “Pillar,” as a downpour drenches clattering abd reverb soaked urban streets thronged with chatting pedestrians and revving vehicles, but this time head-pummeling stone gears rapidly score into one another alongside until about four minutes in it gives way to full-on beats. The whole thing together reads like 2814 channeling Secede at his crystalline, fairytale-dwelling best shot through a prism of Burial’s grimy urban UK garage sounds.
“New Sun” initially feels like a strange title for something as sub-aquatic, muffled and muted as the track’s opening moments. Switchback hats give a gauzy tint to the trap beats that follow, followed by a Sun Electric whorl of pads all anchored by what appears to be the mechanical whir and hum of a printer or photocopier. The moment when that beautiful four note jingle drops and then swims into focus, sounding for all the world like the overhead tannoy one hears standing on a Japanese subway platform just before another train arrives is one of pure joy.
What’s most annoying, however, is Warp/Arcola’s release policy on these new twelves. Announcing them as a “One time pressing of 500 copies” with no digital alternative available whatsoever seems like baiting and hype of the worst kind. They sell out quickly—none more so than “Pillar / New Sun”—often people most people are even aware of their existence. The 500 copies policy is bad enough when it fails to account for expected demand (something it’s probably fair to say that Warp & Bleep would have been well aware would be exceptionally high for a 2814 release), but to announce that it will both never be repressed and offer no download seems utterly ridiculous, forcing the illegal download scene into action just so all those that want to hear it can obtain it.
Even if we’re unlikely to see an entire album of new material like this from 2814 any time soon, wouldn’t it be a dream come true if 2814 could take up the mantle abandoned by a faltering Burial and release a two or three track EP like this every year? It’s music like this that makes one glad to be alive. Please?
Pillar / New Sun is available on Arcola.
