There’s a fantastic sense of fun across The Hills. Van Lunteren is in playful form from the get-go. Amidst the strobe lighting and bright colors are moments of depth. A range of styles are brought together, from high-as-a-kite happiness to slow burning techno, for this candystore 12”. A fine reintroduction to vinyl.
It’s quite noticeable these days. Drips of rave. This is more of a trickle than a deluge, but there’s definitely something in the water. Labels like R-Zone, Polybius Trax and Crème Organization have all been flirting with glowsticks and neon dustmasks. Perhaps growing out of the seriousness that has engulfed so much dancefloor music, this move to hands in the air, anything goes antics, is quite refreshing. 030303 have always been smiley face centered, but their line of acid just shied from the brash brightness of the warehouse, until now that is.
Roger van Lunteren will be a new name for many. I had heard of him before The Hills, having some of his Heimelektro material in the record wall. RVL just resurfaced recently on Polybius Trax and he maintains that high octane style explored on the Barcelona imprint. The opener is going to be a bit of a marmite number for some. Using what sounds likes the Latin percussion side of his drum machine, the Dutchman delivers the retro-tastic “Hills I Want You.” Piano house is blended with acid with breathy vocals for a floor, or off for a pint for some, filler. The boa and sequencing are removed for the subtler “Zeroz On (Forbidden Colors Edit).” Claps rain as thick wedges of analogue funk cascade for a cracking work. Close your eyes and you’d be forgiven for thinking you might have woken up in ’92 as glinting arpeggios introduce “The Broke.” The track sounds like a heavy take on an Warp Artificial Intelligence piece before ravier elements overrun all. The finale is the lightest of all offerings. The 303 is again the star of the show with warming notes and gentle beats supporting “In Sight Out.”
There’s a fantastic sense of fun across The Hills. Van Lunteren is in playful form from the get-go. Amidst the strobe lighting and bright colors are moments of depth. A range of styles are brought together, from high-as-a-kite happiness to slow burning techno, for this candystore 12”. A fine reintroduction to vinyl.
The Hills is available on 030303.
