Review: Brokntoys 50th release sees the return of Weimar-based producer XY0815. Showcasing his wide sonic repertoire on Gates Need Inputs, this being the first volume of two, on which he showcases a unique take on electronica and downtempo. While less dancefloor oriented than previous releases, it is however more upbeat than previous material. There's cybernetic beats aplenty ("Pauline"), imaginary sci-fi soundtracks like on the title track, smack electro ('All The Stars') and martian battle breaks ('Buttons Are Friends'). Mastered by Alden Tyrell.
Review: Following on from last year's S/T release, Weith returns to Brokntoys. "Cyclic Melancholia" is a frenetic roller led by a funk bass and layer upon layer of percussion. Gradually moving into more atmospheric sounds, it underlines this producer's great flexibility. "Mort" is set to a similar pace but is more stripped back, with evocative synths unfolding over a swung rhythm, while ""Forever Today" and "Elan Noir" see Weith explore a more ominous version of his high-tech electro funk, with crashing drums and ebm-style builds prevailing. However, this producer is also capable of a more nuanced soundtrack and the layered ambience of "Believe In Something" and horror soundtrack on "Dream Deprivation" mark him out as a highly diverse artist.
Review: Brokntoys was one of the best electro labels to emerge before the current hype, and will be still going strong long after the bandwagon leaves town. This is all down to its enviable track record in releasing distinctive iterations of this style; Art 220 kick-starts this release with the spiky beats, drilling percussion and acid-gurgling riffs of "Meur Maei", while XY0815 and Int Main journey down a route sound-tracked by crunchy drums, a staccato rhythm and a tearing bass. On Obergman's "Chronostasis",spooky synths and steely drums are powered by surging low end, while The Jaffa Kid's superbly-named "Intergalactic War Trials" is a hypnotic slice of electronic malevolence.
Review: Mysterious hardware fetishist XY0815 recently pricked our consciousness via a fine contribution to Pulse Drift's Transmission Europa compilation. On this fine debut single, the man or woman of mystery makes good on that early promise. Perhaps what's most impressive is the variety on show. One minute, you're daydreaming of an unlikely collaboration between Kraftwerk and Pete Namlook ("Cygonic System"), the next casting glances towards the Motor City via the deep Drexciyan dive of "End of Your Orbit". The EP also includes a trip into psychedelic intelligent techno/electro fusion ("Octagon X"), a blissfully spacey ambient workout ("Lost Wires") and a punchy electro box jam ("Tool Matter"). A star is born.
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