out now: Various - VA.02 [Cogo]

Artist:
Various

Title:
VA.02

Label:
Cogo

Cat#:
COGO003

Release Date:
07th June 2024

Format:
vinyl, download & streaming

Tracklist Vinyl:
A1.
Jeroen Search
Observer

A2.
Border One
Contour

B1.
ORBE
Wolheim

B2.
Tonske
Droid

Tracklist Digital:
01.
Jeroen Search
Observer

02.
Border One
Contour

03.
ORBE
Wolheim

04.
Tonske
Droid

05.
Border One
Contourv
(Tonske Remix)

06.
ORBE
Wolheim
(Tonske Remix)

Press Info:
The Slovenian label Cogo is back for another unmissable 4-tracker vinyl compilation with the heaviest hitters in the scene who represent the most artistically driven hypnotic techno to date.

Jeroen Search, Border One, ORBE, and Tonske all lend a hand to provide an understated and deep vibe to this release full of music actively attempting to remove your mind to otherworldly places hitherto unknown.

Jeroen Search kicks off the release with “Observer” expertly drawing you in with a very simplified but polyrhythmic staccato synth and kick combination that slowly builds with modulating and swirling pads until it reaches a climax with a tightly regulated drum track and disorienting LFO sequenced synth patch.

Border One continues the theme of the release of minimalistic aesthetics with “Contour” featuring polyrhythmic ideas and evolving dissociative synths. The release culminates in a very simplified and restrained drum track that opens up the doors to a massive sonic environment where you’re lost completely within the music, sitting somewhat awestruck by passing elements unfolding in front of your mind’s eye.

Not to be outdone, ORBE takes a different tact with “Wolheim” by introducing the groove elements first and bringing in his deep understanding of setting the sonic stage with his signature atmospheres and scintillating synth hits. The track also echoes the thematic choices previously laid down by Border One and invites you into this strange alien world full of sonic curiosities and audio biology.

Tonske buttons up the release with “Droid.” A track that has an overall sense of pulling the sonic environment toward you while you travel as a listener in your mind’s eye. Outward synth blips are constantly coming from the outer periphery into view as if they are passing stars while traveling forward at a deliberate and determined pace.

For our digital release, we have featured Tonske’s remixes of Border One’s “Contour” and ORBE’s “Wolheim.”

Tonske takes Border One’s “Contour” and restrains the wild nature of Border One’s big warbly synths and takes on a straightforward linear approach, pulling you into the sweet spot of the track and keeping you locked in while the drums wash over you.

Tonske’s reimagining of ORBE’s Track is no less stellar than the original as he draws from ORBE’s starry synths and emphasizes the textures, shorter looping elements, and Tonske’s distinct sense of conceptual hypnotic ideas.

– Sean Ocean

Full Track Streaming: