Game Over brings together frosted futurist music, sterile synths warmed with IDM currents.
A couple of years ago I moved the bulk of my record collection to Madrid, where I now live. I had trepidation’s about the move, but it all worked out well and it’s been brilliant to be reunited with old vinyl friends. It also gives me a chance to dip into my collection and re-earth some forgotten names and labels. X0X Records is one of those I had dubbed forgotten. Sero was the Finnish label’s last release, some four years ago and I figured, despite X0X’s less than frequent release rate, that such inactivity would more than likely mean defunct status. But I’d be wrong. Not two weeks after I’d given Interception System a spin in my Paseo De Extremadura flat I got an e-mail from the X0X boss that a new EP was ready for the shop shelves.
I’ve covered Perttu Lindroo’s House excursions before, his excellent collaborative material as Star Pitsa Acid Kru and Virtu, but my keyboard hasn’t commented out his Electro musings. Under Biodread Lindroo graced AC Records with four tracks of IDM glazed Electro.and now returns with another quartet with the Game Over EP. The late Winter tones of “Retribution” introduce the 12”. A sleet of haunting chords are balanced by clipped beats. Against those biting analogue winds sits the machine, stark and emboldened in its pared back finery. “Armed and Operational” cascades bars, keys forking shattered snares and harsh rains of reverb. But there are softer moments, a lush bulwark of melody fortify the track as a piercing percussion hails. “Judgement” turns up the aggression. Ensnared static, refed crunch and punishing pads contort and twist. The knives are out and Biodread intends to use them. The return of x0x ends with “No Hope.” Nervous squealing notes are met with stern beats. But behind this clinical façade lurks deeper tones, a denser complexity amidst the computer speak.
I don’t know what it is, but the Finns do Electro well. Maybe it’s the climate, but these Northern Europeans know how to deliver Arctic analogue sounds. Game Over brings together frosted futurist music, sterile synths warmed with IDM currents. Great to see X0X, and back on form.
Game Over is available on X0X.
