That metallic gleam polished and the darkened aluminum brushed.
Last Known Trajectory is definitely beginning to build up a head of steam. Over the last couple of years the UK label has expanded its base, gaining an ever growing following whilst releasing some cracking records by the likes of Jamel Moss and Visonia. For their latest LKT to turning to a firm French favorite. Jauzas The Shining aka Romain Jauzas is an Electro man who has graced the likes of Mighty Robot Recordings,Transient Force and New Flesh with his brand of hard-hearted machine music. Shadows is a continuation of a collaboration with Victoria Lukas (Vita, Inkamera, Zerkalo) founded with Nuclear Invasion.
One track is at the EPs core: “Cold Sweat.” The piece sends frozen bars from quivering grooves. This chilling, almost sterile backdrop, is lightly warmed by Lukas’ emotion stripped lyrics. This is the style of the EP, an impersonal and pared sound. The human element is submerged, glinting under a New Wave layer. The subject matter aches with alienation and loss but the tone maintains that very gulf of distance, as in “Coral Eyes.” “Fluid” sees words replaced by synth, meandering melodies and stern snares bringing a depth of expression. In form Ekman is first up remixing. Roel Dijcks has been turning heads with his releases on Berceuse Heroique, Panzerkreuz and Trilogy Tapes. Here the Dutchman is in stony Electro mode, pouring squalor atop the original. Orgue Electronique closes. The Crème Organization veteran has been quiet of late but returns in fine form, delivering some House dilapidation and mess to the clean cut original.
I’ve been covering Jauzas’ work for a while now, since those early days as Katelectro (feeling a bit long in the tooth realizing that was five years ago.) Anyway, less about my teeth and more about the record. The EP shows a continued maturing of this Frenchman’s sound. That cold streak that has characterized his music is still there, but now subtle textures are been layered. That maturing, present in Nuclear Invasion, has been further developed for Shadows, that metallic gleam polished and the darkened aluminum brushed.
Shadows is a Last Known Trajectory.
