Asan isn’t reinventing the wheel, but he is adding a different hue to a well-known palette. There are elements of Dub in the formula and some Jak. It is a House record, but one that plays with recognized parameters.
Dutch labels can be eclipsed by the West Coast phenomenon. With the likes of Viewlexx, Bunker, Crème and the juggernauts of Clone and Rush Hour, smaller imprints can be diluted away. Borneo has managed to hold its own amongst these heavy hitters. After Fader’s debut came 100% Silk man Sir Stephen with PRSM.SPLNTR. Now Borneo introduces a new name—Asan arrives with Welcome Home Supperman.
Chicago drum patterns introduce the title piece. Blurred chords are further distorted. Notes waver and mists envelope as cross eyed basslines tremble. Asan’s sound is immediately original. The degree of instability is on the confused house scale, but accentuated. Beats anchor the dreaminess, the composer not allowing the listener to be abducted into abstraction. “Metamorphic” maintains the industrial haze. Synths burn into disintegrating oscillation with claps fading into muddy riverbeds. Burbling bass boils for “Leafing the Door Open.” The track is thickened with slanted vocals—a low energy rumbles through the piece, a stalker prowling rain soaked streets in search of a new victim. “Cows on the Moon” allows the clouds to lift; analogue chords circle and swoop as the sun breaks through for this last call.
It’s a rare thing these days to come across something new. Asan isn’t reinventing the wheel, but he is adding a different hue to a well-known palette. There are elements of Dub in the formula and some Jak. It is a House record, but one that plays with recognized parameters. Cloak and dagger, misdirection and misdemeanor, angry and soulful from this brave debutant.
Welcome Home Supperman is available on Borneo. [Rushhour]
