082 - Kolsch

Comforting journey techno from this Kompakt release.

048 - The MFA / Superpitcher

Superpitcher's remix of The Difference It Makes  emblematizes the sound associated with Cologne's Kompakt Records. Within techno's spectrum, the label could not have adopted an aesthetic more opposed to the industrialism of Ostgut Ton's. Instead of their dark and uncompromising tones, Kompakt favour light, warmth and accessibility. The self-confessed influence of pop - with a frequent presence of vocals and strong melodies - is as readily apparent here as it is on the influential Total  compilation series that showcases the imprint's latest productions. The track has an airy, ambient feel to it, caused primarily by the droney sound dwelling in the middle frequencies. Again characteristic is the length and direction of the track: in a progressive fashion, it meanders along gathering and losing momentum with sharp hi-hats and crisp kicks, integrated with devilishly organic smoothness.

When listening I cannot help but see clear skies and open natural spaces rushing by, perhaps viewed through a Rocky Mountaineer train window - hence the inclusion of this fitting artwork:

The MFA - The Difference It Makes (Superpitcher remix) - ( buy )

031 - Robag Wruhme (Wuppdeckmischmampflow)

There's something pacifying about using playground sounds in music -  perhaps they subconsciously evoke memories of childhood. Heard near the beginning, they aid in setting a retrospective tone. The tempo and style of the melody place this track inside the living room more than anywhere, yet is still has ample movement, due largely to the shuffle  introduced at 1:20.  All together, the track is atmospheric and nostalgic; calm and calming.

Additionally, there's a nice mix of Four Tet's Angel Echoes ; and a slowed down, more relaxed version of Moderat's epic Rusty Nails.

P.S. The cover for this mix - inspired by Shed's Shedding The Past - is worth a look.

Rohbag Wruhme - Robellada

Four Tet - Angel Echoes

Moderat - Rusty Nails

020 - The Field (From Here We Go Sublime)

The Field has a different approach to John Roberts (or  James Blake) with regard to how frequently sounds should be used. Whereas John & James value pauses and silence as devices almost as much as they do sound itself, moments of non-sound in The Field's work are hard to come by. Instead, he champions looping of the same sounds back-to-back, an uncommon take on the concept of repetition. The result is simply a constant wall of sound, placing the tracks in perpetual motion. His melodies are very basic, but his use of dynamics isn't: occasionally elements are thrust into the foreground through a shift in dynamics. For better or for worse, there's little variation on this album: formally it remains constant throughout. There is, however, enough variation in the sound-sets of the individual songs to make this an album worth listening to.

The Field - A Paw In My Face

The Field - The Little Heart Beats So Fast