out now: Keith Carnal – Retrofit [SEC NDº]

Artist:
Keith Carnal

Title:
Retrofit

Label:
SEC NDº

Cat#:
SECLP001

Release Date:
Late November 2019

Format:
vinyl & digital

Tracklist:
01.
Neo Noir

02.
Sprinkle Stardust

03.
Take it From Me

04.
Way Back When

05.
You Look Beautiful

06.
One-on-One

07.
Not Your Ordinary

08.
Fresh Needle

09.
Moving Molecules

10.
Pillow Talk

Press Info:
Amsterdam’s Keith Carnal delivers his debut album this November on his new SEC NDº imprint entitled ‘Retrofit’.

Keith Carnal grew up in a musical home in the northern part of Holland, with techno being the first type of music that made a lasting impression on him. After releases on labels such as ARTS and Affin, Keith launched his own SEC NDº imprint in late 2018 to showcase his atmospheric yet sparkling productions which have been held in high esteem throughout the techno scene for many years. After two successful EP’s on the label that picked up support from the likes of Len Faki, Marcel Fengler, Matrixxman and many more, Keith felt that it was time to show what he can do as producer with his debut album being the result: The album, Retrofit, is a reflection of my inspiration based on the music I grew up with. It especially emphasizes on the neo-noir movies and the music that came with those movies. Think of Blue Velvet, Blade Runner, Twin Peaks, True Romance, etc. But it also is inspired on events that took place in my life, think of weekends without sleep and going to parties in Berlin and here in Amsterdam. Clubs like Trouw, Berghain and the Gashouder that helped me in finding the sound I stand for today. But also from my youth where I’d listen to every kind of genre up my attic bedroom, hours and hours each day. “Retrofit” basically means modernising vintage technology. This term really seemed “fit” for what the labels encompasses. The album includes 10 tracks, which go from instrumental to the more club ready kind of tracks. – Keith.

‘Neo-Noir’ kicks off the album with humming drones balanced with a revolving drum loop and stirring tension before making room for ‘Sprinkle Dust’ that lays focus on wavering 303 sequences, undulant, angelic leads and resonating, chuggy kicks. ‘Take it From Me’ fuses growling modulations with hypnotic pads and shimmering subs that progress throughout until ‘Way Back When’ provides an emotive atmosphere through euphoric synths and alleviating ambience. Melancholy melodies sprinkled with euphoric keys and humming reverberations then provide mesmerizing feelings throughout ‘You Look Beautiful’.

‘One-on-One’ together with ‘Not Your Ordinary’ pick up the energy with effervescent, dancefloor-ready techno cuts featuring vibrant percussion, thrilling oscillations and transcendental sound design. ‘Fresh Needle’ offers up crunchy compositions, sweeping tones and storming synthesis while ‘Moving Molecules’ delivers tender melodic flutters harmoniously balanced with immersive sound design and captivating energy. ‘Pillow Talk’ provides a dramatic finish as the sparse textures, tantalizing harmonics and cinematic swells round off this incredibly enchanting album.

Listen: