Reviews

UK producer SevenDoors is back for another emotional, passion-infused ride through the dreamscape of melodic techno on Mesoplodon (Carioca Records). SevenDoors’ unique sound is layered with seemingly random 808 attacks, staccato rolls and a synthetic lushness. “Oceano” ushers in heady atmospheric swirls around a pulsing bassline and galloping drums. “Belaena” brings big bottom beats with stuttering acid rips and hypnotic percussion cresting melodic layers of techy riffs. Title track “Mesoplodon” packs a gut-punchin’ kick drum and lays a solid foundation for stacking sounds and fills, each finding its own order from techno chaos. As they drop into place the big picture slowly builds into something you hoped for but weren’t sure you should expect. The angelic chorus and smashing breakdown wash back into the heavy undercurrent of drums; this is my top pick of the release.

As the name suggests, CEV’s Raw EP out now on Hi! Energy Records is just that: raw. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The nervous energy might be a bit busy to some old-fashioned ears, but it works here. “Raw to the Roots” serves up a fat, almost garage-y groove with big beats, stuttered hits, fun fills and percussive rolls. Twisted samples reach up through the musical madness and electric keys sprout from the chaos to punctuate the groove. Nico Medez’s “Raw” remix ditches the faux-garage reminiscence as he retools the tune in a deeper, more sinister tech-house image. The EP rounds out with the upbeat “Set Me Free,” a driving house shuffle riding a funkin’ bassline into a classic club vibe. Solid cuts all the way around from French producer Julien Cadet.