Review: Kompakt's annual label sampler returns for a 15th year, gathering together another 24 highlights from the long running Cologne imprint's ever growing back catalogue. As usual, there are numerous styles represented - from the spiraling dancefloor synth-pop of Kolsch and punk-influenced techno of Audion, to the soft focus melodies and hypnotic beats of Gui Boratto, and the intoxicating global electronics of Jurgen Paap - as well as much-played tracks from some of the imprint's most notable talents (see the contributions from Rex The Dog, Superpitcher, Matias Aguayo and John Tejada, whose "Two O One" is a tuneful techno delight).
Review: Matias Aguayo returns to the warm bosom of Cologne's Kompakt label - the imprint on which he first made his name - for his first outing of 2014. The typically atmospheric Legende is not a great departure musically - his usual skewed pop, minimal techno, subtle new wave guitars, fuzzy electronica and woozy ambient influences are all present and correct - but it is decidedly impressive (thanks, in no small part, to his mastery of mood and melody). The title track impresses with its' fluttering, glitchy approach, while "Run Away From The Sun" recalls his early material on Kompakt Pop. Best of all, though, is "Lola in the City", a decidedly off-kilter fusion of traditional Chilean instrumentation, spacey bleep melodies and a scratchy, loose-sounding groove.
Review: As its predecessors had done, this latest instalment in Kompakt's annual compilation series gives a good snapshot of where the label's at in the summer of 2011. There's the usual mixture of melodic ambient pop, techno club hits, shuffling deep house and expansive electronica, with familiar favourites (Michael Mayer's brilliant remix of WhoMadeWho, GusGus's "Over", Matias' Aguayo's lo-fi dance-rock groover "I Don't Smoke") being joined by a smattering of unreleased cuts. Highlights come thick and fast, with Superpitcher's previously unheard "White Lightning", Jargen Paape's dream-like "Pray" and Mohn's slo-mo wonk-fest "Tiefnatal" most impressing. If you're after a high quality collection of emotion-rich, cutting-edge electronic music, look no further.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.