Certainty is no easy thing. But you can make some educated guesses from history. For example, the sounds of the TB303 were, are and will continue be a cornerstone of electronic music. This quartet (Humanoid, The Kosmik Kommando, Luke Vibert, Air Liquide) have paid tribute to the squelch and squeal of Roland’s multi-use monosynth, moving from floor focused fireworks to psychedelic soundscapes. A homage to all things acid from pioneers who have consistently delivered the goods. Could the same be said of our global leaders?
We live in uncertain times. Brexit. Brexit delay. Brexit. Trump’s pirouetting political positions. Climate change and our future. Thankfully, there are still some points of stability. Music wise, De:Tuned has released its tenth anniversary series with a comforting rhythm of consistency.DE:10.08, true to its predecessors, is on-time and hitting shelves.
For number eight the Belgians are turning to four masters of acid, each with a different angle on the acrid analogue sound of the TB303. Humanoid had ridiculous success thirty years ago with their acid house atomic, “Stakker Humanoid.” Since that 1989 explosion Brian Dougans has only resurfaced now and again to spread his caustic sound. “sT8818r” is the offering from this techno trailblazer. Stripped down to its bare nuts and bolts, snares serrate sour syrupy synthlines as an industrial kick hammers. The Kosmik Kommando goes straight for the jugular with Mike Dred’s acid mix of “Biosurvival.” A rework of the opener from the 2013 album Overmind, the Rephlex veteran douses the original in a peppery rinse and spikes the mixture with a spikey percussive pump. The ever shapeshifting Luke Vibert takes over on the flip. An off-kilter beat loll and lumber on a trail laid down in chords that evoke childhood nightmares of haunted fairgrounds. The close comes from a duo for whom “prolific” would be an insult. Air Liquide released a dizzying amount of music in their existence, sounds ranging from blissed out ambience to caustic techno bangers. Although Strunkelpotz” leans on the side of atmospherics, that raw edge of the floor is plain to hear. Distorted notes orbit a steady kick as a sense of menace builds without ever truly being unleashed.
Certainty is no easy thing. But you can make some educated guesses from history. For example, the sounds of the TB303 were, are and will continue be a cornerstone of electronic music. This quartet have paid tribute to the squelch and squeal of Roland’s multi-use monosynth, moving from floor focused fireworks to psychedelic soundscapes. A homage to all things acid from pioneers who have consistently delivered the goods. Could the same be said of our global leaders?
DE:10.08 is available on De:tuned.
