Meshed is rhythmically focused, features clean mix/production work, and an organic approach to automation between counterparts. With kicks that hit that techno sweet spot, frankly put, it’s a thud factory.
The Italian Renaissance from the 14th to the 17th century saw the cultural progression of society out of the middle ages. It was a time in which artists flourished, advancing through discovery and renewed interest in humanism. A fascinating period in our history that lasted for roughly 300 years, it yielded incredible work by many creators we continue to value today.
Undoubtedly, we are currently living in an electronic music renaissance. Arriving in the late 19th to early 20th century, the advent and development of its numerous styles, sub-genres, and associated use of technology over the years persists to explore the boundaries of capability. In the late 20th century techno emerged out of Detroit. In what can be considered its next phase, we are fortunate to now find ourselves in the 21st century surrounded by continued and burgeoning talent with everyone from Richie Hawtin and Jeff Mills to Daniel Avery and Nina Kraviz (of course there are countless others). An era in which the genre draws from all of its iterations and influences to date, there seems to be new music to enjoy daily from a vast number of labels both established and independent.
One such imprint, Fixed Rhythms is adding to the realm with their recent 12” release of Sard’s Meshed EP. It’s a worthy four track showcase of a new artist who is clearly passionate about the music and also held in kind regard in his communities. The EP itself is rhythmically focused, features clean mix/production work, and an organic approach to automation between counterparts. With kicks that hit that techno sweet spot, frankly put, it’s a thud factory. This is primarily evident on the first side of the EP and especially in the track “B D P 3” where tense atmosphere is intercut by absolute knock amidst swarming modular machines performing calculations. It’s as if a sculptor is taking a chisel to a piece of marble in frenzied and intentional moves, determined to find what he’s looking for.
The result? The listener is rewarded with the open and softer synths of “Self Gasoline,” a track that remains driving but is both spacey and freeing. It includes dialed-in house hats, phenomenal pitch modulation, and cloud-like pads that are easy to get lost in. That selection and its successor are both tracks you would expect to hear on NTS or The Lot Radio. “Deep Clean” is a track that seems to combine both ambient techno and minimal house elements and is highlighted by a recurring mutated and delayed cow-bell (for lack of a better description). It’s the sort of element that stands out in contemporary techno and makes you take notice in a good way.
If Meshed is a shape of what’s to come from Sard, it’s safe to say that we may be lucky enough to hear some more of his excellent work alongside the widely recognized acts in the field today.
Meshed is available on 12″ Vinyl from Fixed Rhythms.
