A longing gaze back to the structures of Electronica is linked with smudges of Dub and Industrial to produce a hazy and soulful sound.
A few things have struck me about the electronic music scene in Spain. Its concentration. There is a small band of artists dedicated to the sound, a close-knit support network and a climate of co-operation. Also the diversity of the Mediterranean’s machine music. Styles like Electro, House, Techno and Electronica are all explored, alongside Electro Disco and Synth Wave. But the recession has been hard and many Spaniards, including machine musicians, have sought greener pastures abroad. A handful of the Espanoles de Electronica left Iberia, the likes of Transhumans seeking new lives in Berlin. Another producer who moved to the German capital is Jose GVC aka Hunab. The Berlin denizen is throwing caution to the wind and daring to take the bold step of founding his own imprint. A split release breaths vinyl life into Apparent Horizon.
Bule, aka Jorge Bule, opens the A-Side with “Rods from God.” The Iberian artist ushers in dubby basslines but drowns them in shards of metal. The track builds, bending into itself as Bule folds and doubles course tones before layering echoes of melody. You would be forgiven for thinking this was Dub Techno, or even Electronica, but at the half way point beats are formally introduced, morphing the “Rods of God” into a choice Electro. The track subtly shifts throughout, evading all attempts to pindown. An amazingly absorbing opener. Those Dub elements present in “Rods from God” and strengthened for “Helios 1.” Industrial currents are emboldened as slighted snares keep a steady 4/4 for this meandering and heady work of electronics. Newcomer Hunab opens his musical account with “Ixtab.” Beats scratch against a bulwark of ambience, chords sailing over intricate rhythm patterns. The label founder moulds complex compositions of swimming soundscapes. Twinkling melodies are supported by cymbals and broad bass for “Sinus.” The track is a cerebral closer with layers of deep harmony leading out.
The more I hear of Spanish electronics, the more I like it. There are, of course, labels espousing different styles, but there is a definite melodic slant with Industrial echoes running through the musings of many of Spain’s artists. Apparent Horizon’s first outing is emblematic of this. A longing gaze back to the structures of Electronica is linked with smudges of Dub and Industrial to produce a hazy and soulful sound. A very strong first from Apparent Horizon.
Hera is available on Apparent Horizon.
