Music is memory and my memory is getting worse. I think its time I gracefully retired this blog. Thanks for listening. No flowers.

Instead, go MainStream

Model 500: Digital Solutions LP (Metroplex)

Fucking terrible title. Woefully inept ‘infographic’ style artwork. Weak vinyl pressing (one of the worst I've ever come across). And an unintentionally hilarious track featuring a guitar solo.

So why can’t I stop playing this?

Juan Atkins + Moritz Von Oswald: Borderlands LP (Tresor)

If you’re not versed then go elsewhere to catch up on the history of these two elder masters of techno. On ‘Borderlands’, it’s all about holding back and having the slightest of touches. Think refined rhythmic mantras for the most part thats polished to within an inch of its life. Maybe too polished for its own good.

But it’s on the last two parting tracks where their recognisable motifs are audible. On ’Treehouse’, Atkins takes charge with a twee melodic lead and twangy bassline that’s pure Model 500. Whilst ‘Afterlude’ reminds us of Von Oswald’s Basic Channel legacy with a majestic piece of dubbed out abstractionism that cut far too short. Whilst this is decent, all it made me do is run back to their respective back catalogue.

2562: The New Today LP (Doubt)

It’s really the trio of cyclical rhythmic numbers (’Terraforming’, ‘Utopia’ and ‘Cauldron') that make this album. All the other considered / refined stuff, whilst isn’t padding, certainly isn’t as out there as the aforementioned bangers. Not that it lapses into dumb jackhammer territory. 2562 is far too accomplished and learned to do that. In my selected musical sphere of interest, namely the techno long player, this is one of the bestest.

CN: NU LP (WeMe)

The artwork and track titles suggest the same sort of Arabian Nights mysticism that The Black Dog evoked on their classic album “Spanners”. But whereas on that record, they ingeniously fused Middle Eastern musics with angular techno to stunning effect, here the references are only visual.

Not to belittle the music contained within, CN (who also records as EOD for Rephlex) has crafted an album of electronic subtleties and nuances. Might sound a bit pretentious but what I’m trying to say is that everything is delivered with the lightest touch. You can file this under melodic electro, but there’s a definite lo-fi tape-hiss vibe that jettisons it into more interesting spheres. I like, please buy.