Sounds of the summer

Apologies for the lack of updates lately, but I haven’t had much time to dedicate to the joys of blogging. Consequently, the site has become like techno tumbleweed, with a chill wind blowing through the domain. But hang on a second, what’s that I spy on the horizon - surely not some sunshine? Every year around this time - well, it’s usually a bit earlier, but forgive my slackness -  there is a brouhaha about what will be ‘the sound of the summer’. Invariably, it ends up with an array of different opinions and choices, but in the interests of avoiding a Moebius strip-style debate, I’ll be self-indulgent (well, it is my blog after all) and just list my candidates so for the sound of summer 08. Updates will be made regularly until the autumn leaves arrive.

If you plan to spend the rest of the summer months in darkened rooms, then the new release by Marcel Dettmann, ‘MDR04’, on his own paper-sleeve, hand-stamped MDR label is for you. Opening with a rush of white noise, it quickly descends into the heavy, fathomic and dense techno that has become the German producer’s trademark. A cursory listen may prompt the listener to dismiss this release as simplistic, but there is a very clever interplay at the heart of his work. Sure, the beats are ‘boombastic’ and the arranging is inspired by the dense, late 90s/early 00s loop aesthetic, but the tempo is considered and takes its cue from more recent techno developments. Add to this Dettmann’s penchant for clanging, metallic percussive elements and it’s clear that he is charting new, albeit dark territories.

Sleeparchive is also operating in isolation and ‘Hadron’, his latest hand-stamped EP on his own, eponymous label - noticing a trend here? – focuses on what he does best. Austere and unflinching, the dance floor tracks are powered by gradually tone-shifting bleeps, which in turn are underpinned by waves of bleak percussion. It’s not accessible, there’s not a hint of melody and yet there is something utterly hypnotic about it, the atonal cacophony sounding like a thousand space invaders games malfunctioning in unison on fading batteries. Just in case the repetition gets too much, one of the tracks ends abruptly in a wall of white noise.

Providing a counterpoint to these releases is Tobias’s ‘I Can’t Fight The Feeling’ on Wagon Repair. While the eerie, creeping minimalism of ‘Go’ does little to dispel the dark mood, the title track is a sun-kissed deep techno track, underpinned by rolling drums and featuring a sweet, playful female vocal. Tobias has produced some of my favourite records of the past few years, including ‘Dial’ and the now impossible-to-find ‘Street Knowledge’ – if anyone has a copy, I’m in the market for it -  but this is the moment where he could finally and , I’d wager, unwittingly, have a ‘big’ tune on his hands.

The other producer who is destined, or at least deserves, a big chunk of success is Osborne aka Todd Osborn. I’m a bit behind the times - there’s that slackness raising its slack head again - because he has released an album that is meant to be great, but so far I’ll be content with his ‘Ruling’ EP, a thing of immeasurable beauty. Based on a classic house and techno heritage, it’s the prevailing lightness of touch and breezy, infectious melodies that make every track such a delight. In particular, the discoy-house title track recalls 90s Chicago Relief/Sneak stylings and made me jump for joy as the needle dropped and the sun started to shine today…

Comments

[chrisdisco]

as it is winter where i am writing, i am not sure if i am in a good place to judge the sounds of summer, but, i do agree with the selections. i haven't got a copy of the new dettmann ep, but very keen to, and i am sure it is the business. some great sounds coming out from berghain. on that tip, the new marcel fengler ep on ostgut is brilliant. strongly suggested...

also like the sleeparchive. i have a feeling people might, umm, sleep on this one, but they shouldnt. tobias wont suffer the same fate, as everyone is rightly raving about 'can't fight this feeling'. wow. perfect track.

[kenny]

Personally, I can't wait for the new The Hasbeens 12" to drop.

[Joe]

Yup tobias track is brilliant. my MDR04 arrived just yesterday so looking forward to giving that a go. Sounds like I need to try the sleeparchive too.
maybe this'll just be a dark dark summer.