Diverse, and not afraid to deviate, Conner has crafted four pieces of textured electronics that reach into the history of UK Techno whilst gazing into the future machine music.
The internet, or those using it, seems to be getting more and more obsessed with lists. Everyone loves a list. Lists of the best. Lists the worst. Lists. Lists. Lists. Music sites are in full swing, pages and pages of lists for 2013. Brutalist Sunset is an imprint I would have expected to see in any number of these “Top 100s,” especially Dave Conner’s Uexkull project from earlier this year. Instead the majority of these lists are bland Techno and re-revisited House, could they be just that bit self serving? Who am I to ponder recommendations from people selling something. But’s that’s a different line of thought. Leaving these “Top Whatevers” aside, Steve Conner returns to his Adapta moniker for a final 12” of 2013.
Stark beats and bleeding fade outs introduce “Future.” The track is a warped and hypnotic take on Electro. The folding, re-folding and doubling of chords produces a disorientating and somewhat unsettling effect. The follow-up beams staggered bars skyward, flecks of feedback peppering the ever rising intensity. “Re-Charge” reclaims that Electro mantle, but only those slightly off-center snares. As the melody descends the calming influence of Electronica takes hold. The track reveals itself as a piece of early 2000s IDM, warm and glowing in this Winter light. Acid lines raise their bold faces for “Ninety Five.” Warbling 303 chords are met with by hollowed notes, a gentle snapping snare ricocheting. Shifting glacial sounds for the close.
Listening back over the past two Adapta EPs, Adapta 3 is the strongest outing yet. Diverse, and not afraid to deviate, Conner has crafted four pieces of textured electronics that reach into the history of UK Techno whilst gazing into the future machine music. Perhaps something from Brutalist Sunset might even make my own “Top _ _ of 2013.”
Adapta 3 is available on Brutalist Sunset.
