Electro has bloomed as a genre over the last ten years and throughout that process, throughout that growth, Cultivated Electronics led the way. This recent split series brings together artists who are pursuing the colder edge of the machine, the line set down by the UK label.
With every passing week that the electro bin in the local record shop grows thicker. Artists and labels are taking on the mantle of machine funk, from cold and calculated chords to razor sharp the genre that “never went away” is more present than ever. Cultivated Electronics has been a cornerstone of this resurgence and, as ever, the imprint is looking for like minded musicians; this time unearthing two for a new series Split Excursions Vol 1.
Sharing a synth with label boss Sync 24 is Privacy, alumnus of Lobster Thermin, Valcrond Video and more recently Klakson. The metallic “Hard to Tell” introduces the collaboration. Bouncy bass and squelching drums are countered by bawdy samples and an anti-social attitude. “General Data Standard” burns out of the blocks. Beats are fast and reinforced with the clank and grind of the factory floor. Like its predecessor “General Data Standard” has an edge, one of late nights and malign intents. Ireland’s Matt Flanagan occupies the flip, flying solo under his DeFeKt moniker. Seeming to take his cue from Sync 24 and Privacy’s partnership, Flanagan is out for blood from the outset. “MG1” launches itself at the listener, teeth dripping acid as knobs howl in twisted pain. The track’s brother, “MG2,” takes up a similarly toxic tone. The track stalks rather than attacking outright, cold chord circle before the final acid rinses assault.
Electro has bloomed as a genre over the last ten years and throughout that process, throughout that growth, Cultivated Electronics led the way. This recent split series brings together artists who are pursuing the colder edge of the machine, the line set down by the UK label. The rasp of electricity is ever present, the hiss of kinetic energy as switches click and currents surge across four fierce cuts.
Split Excursions Vol 1 is available on Cultivated Electronics.
