Review: Lopez began her musical journey on Modularz back in 2012 and following a series of Eps on Grey Report she now returns to Developer's label. Unlike the harder end of the Modularz spectrum Percepciones is an understated expertly weighted exercise in techno purism. It starts with the chugging chords and noisy interference of "Entre Lineas" before retreating to Sandwell/Sleeparchive ground courtesy of the sine-wave bleeps on the linear "Sin Sentido". "Intuiciones" remains in a similar place but is more mysterious and powerful and is propelled by dynamic percussion. Finally, there's the subtle whooshing feedback and steely rhythm of "En Ningun Lugar".
Review: The link between architecture and techno is long established (as is the connection between music journalism and building design) and on Portfolio One, Developer's label delivers diverse constructions from some of the finest new school techno practitioners. Eduardo de la Calle 's "The Promise" features chords that move from foreboding and menacing to spacey and tranced out, all over a rolling groove. Elyas' "Adiccion" is also designed for the dance floor, but more driving and percussive, while Takaaki Itoh's "Dusker" juxtaposes breathy vocals with pounding beats. Adriana Lopez also balances the demands of the dance floor with melodic elements and her 'Acta' sees chiming bells unfold over a lithe, steely rhythm.
Adriana Lopez - "Lines Of Fracture" - (5:24) 127 BPM
Adriana Lopez - "Sequel" - (6:09) 127 BPM
Review: This split release shows that peak-time techno need not be all about tunnel vision and furrowed brow seriousness. Granted, Developer's "Let It Be Said" is a tough, pumping affair led by steely drums, but the eerie synths that hang over them lend it a mysterious air. There are no such concessions on "Madre", where a rolling groove and heavy, distorted kicks prevail, but the mood is never too dark, thanks to Adriana Lopez. "Lines Of Fracture" is a more subtle, pulsing affair, and she follows a similar route on "Sequel". There, eerie bleeps and reverberating claps support a predatory, bassy groove.
Review: This split release on Developer's label brings together some of the finest names in modern techno. The label owner weighs in with two excellent tracks. "They Ring for Madness" is a tracky, moody affair, led by eerie textures and a functional rhythm. "More Matter" is more groovy, its rolling rhythm punctuated by big filter sweeps and hissing percussion. Adrian Lopez follows a similar route with "Estructura", with snappy percussion and up-building chords providing the basis for the rolling groove and concrete beats. Finally, the mysterious Spanish producer NX1 completes the package with "MZ2", its drum-heavy arrangement full of dramatic chord sweeps.
Review: The fourth release on this Dutch label is also the fourth time that Adriana Lopez has contributed to it, with the Colombian DJ/producer dropping two dance floor bombs. The first, 'Between Thoughts', is a big room percussive affair, full of dubby whooshes and powerful blasts of static noise. "Metodo" sees her pushing her sound into a more reflective approach. Using gritty rhythms and acrid bleeps, the track sounds like a malevolent take on the Fachwerk sound. On the flip, it's Japanese producer Takaaki Itoh's turn to contribute to Grey Report and he doesn't disappoint. "Finder" and "Blower" are characterized by tonal bleeps and punishing, stepping rhythms.
Review: On its third and final instalment, We Are Not Alone delivers more cutting edge electronic music from the artists who guested at the party of the same name. This volume is hugely varied, ranging from Ryan James Ford's uplifting deep techno to the underground pulses of Lada's "Kassi" and Heidi Sabertooth's "Innergaze". Sounding a more visceral note is Henning Baer's "Nightwing Microlight" and the hard-jacking analogue banger "Basic" by Truncate, while Setaoc Mass' "Silent Tension" is led by cavernous drums. Sandwiched in between these dance floor burners are more offbeat pieces, like Cosmin TRG's gentle, downbeat "Sourde" and the wonderful drones of "Chaos Transition" from Adriana Lopez.
Review: Developer's label drops a monster 18-track compilation that showcases a diverse range of modern techno styles. There's the drum-heavy loops of CNCPT's "New Science & Telekinesis Facility 10" and the buzzing, percussive grooves that define the contributions from Emitto Audio's "Mars Radiation Terminal 20" and Insolate's "Cern Research Center 35". Taking the compilation to a bleaker place is the eerie, oppressive mood on Patrik Carrera's "Mars Radiation Terminal 25", but there are also more esoteric contributions such as the hypnotic tones of Ryogo Yamamori's "Center For Cyborg Data & Control 75". If you are looking for a view of where dance floor techno is headed, WAV1095 offers a ringside seat.
