Laurel Halo - Sweetie (DJ-Kicks)

8.1

Experimental techno artist Laurel Halo comes back after proving she's capable of morphing and concocting sturdy melodies as well as sedated landscapes with a DJ-Kicks edition that sees her returning to her stark, menacing and cleverly danceable dance roots. The 29 tracks are greatly intertwined, bearing strong ressemblances and acute rhythms to maintain power and interest for its hour-running time.

Highlights

- There's tension and release in the songs; they breathe and push constantly.

- Laurel has found a way to also include percussion and worldly sounds to traditional techno structures.

- Halo's knack for the movement and the experimentation are somewhat introverted yet intact.

Lowlights

- Some tracks go around the same pattern a bit too much.

- I'd probably cut the record 10 minutes shorter.

Standouts

- Always Hate (Mixed)

- Canto (Mixed)

- Temptation (Mixed)

Country: USA/Germany

Released: February 12, 2019

Length: 60:37

Nihiloxica - Biiri

8.2

The second EP from the Ugandan ensemble once again defies what "traditional music" actually means by blending Bugandan rhythms with industrial techno, schizophrenic ambient and a perpetuating feeling of danger and disdain.

Highlights

- The music is absorbing and heavy-loaded.

- The musicians are at the peak of their revolutions and moods.

- The record is dark, menacing and relentlessly savage.

Lowlights

- The technique of speeding up the pace in the last minute gets repetitive after the first half.

Standouts

- Baksimba

- Ding Ding

- Digga Dagga

Country: Uganda

Released: February 13, 2019

Length: 19:17