The inclusion of Warp Records’ Artificial Intelligence-era themes from the mid-90s is as brief and crisp as ever, with brittle and minimal techno extrusions rounding off the edges.
A glittering portrayal of IDM in its purest form
Weaving through (Italian) expressways on a chilly winter’s night, Utility Player’s AutoStrada presents 11 tracks, including two exclusive digital versions by Cyan341—keeping its soundscapes cool to the touch with familiar “playful synth-pop hues” we encountered on Chroma Phase (Rednetic, 2020.) The inclusion of Warp Records’ Artificial Intelligence-era themes from the mid-90s is as brief and crisp as ever, with brittle and minimal techno extrusions rounding off the edges. “Filament” evokes memories of early IDM days with its punchy melodic pulse and abstract sound shapes.
Utility Player (aka UK-based Simon Thomas) has been a mainstay of electronica since the early aughts, so it should come as no surprise to hear rhythmic threads glowing brighter with each release. The end product is a glittering portrayal of IDM in its purest form. With synths and migrating ambient swirls—reference “Ghost Momentum” and “Near Life Experience”—crystalline sound sculptures and downtempo motifs remain in counterweight. The two closing disco-tinged techno renditions by Cyan341 offer an upbeat and dreamy interpretation of the originals, culminating in a potent auditory experience.
AutoStrada is available on Rednetic. [Bandcamp]
