DET:ROI—contraction of Detroit, Michigan and Charleroi, Belgium. Two artists, and two cities, two visions that are interchangeable. A sonic drive into the suburbs of their respective hometowns. Francois Dillinger and Polaroid deliver their respective EPs for the Belgium-based Roulettte Rekordz imprint that has returned after a 12-year hiatus.
Proving once again that electro has infinite staying power
Francois Dillinger :: DET:roi — Reminding us that electro as a genre is as broad and deep as Drum & Bass or anything else, Dillinger digs deep with atmospheric, ambient vibes over a tight rhythmic foundation. Modern sound design and sequencing give some of the elements here a nearly IDM, cutting-edge sound maybe reminiscent of the recent Black Dog output or their Application side-project. Cold, dripping with reverb, the austere arrangements here almost seem purely rhythmic but for the first and last tracks’ deep, lonely melodies. A thoroughly modern take on the funky dark minimalism of early Detroit techno.
Poladroïd :: det:ROI — Proving again that electro as a genre has basically infinite staying power, Poladroid brings us five cuts of stripped down sound design and old-school beats. Classic drums and riffs updated with modern sensibilities, with one foot in the past and one fist in the future. The vibe drifts into a dark ambience of underwater ice caves or an asteroid belt, and at the same time bends the concept of ‘what is electro?’ further and further, somehow never breaking it, with frantic nearly footwork-like percussion storms and bass. Consistently minimalist arrangements with dense rhythmic beds underpinning wild synth programming. Another great EP for sure.
Both releases are available on Roulette Rekordz.
