2814 - Pillar / New Sun [Arcola - 2018]
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Arcola was a sub-label of Warp records set up in 2003 that only put out a half-dozen 12"s before seemingly being shelved. Since it was revived last year it's released a series of records featuring lesser known but very forward thinking producers in contemporary electronic music, all of whom are exploring new territories on the fringes of the club scene. 2814 perhaps wouldn't ordinarily fall under such a description, their patented post-vaporwave sound being more appropriate for the headphones or a massage parlour in some dystopian novel. Nevertheless, here Luke Laurila of Telepath and the UK's own David Russo reform as 2814 for two sides of the most techno orientated work they've yet produced together.
Pillar fades in with rumbling subs and quick-fire snares around which the duo fold their characteristic pallet of "dreampunk" sonics. Layered ambience with an emphasis on FM synth sounds is the foundation, out of which float distant foreign (usually Asian) voices contributing to an overall woozy and dreamlike atmosphere. The essential difference here when compared to their recent albums Rain Temple (2016) and Birth of a New Day (2015) is the bpm, which hardly got off the floor on those releases. Here it's hovering around the 120 mark. At this pace the sampling style and overall cinematic feel brings obvious comparisons with Burial's post Untrue output; particularly tracks like Street Halo and Rival Dealer, though 2814 give it all a very washed-out Sinofuturist vibe.
New Sun opens as a vaguely dub inflected stepper before more of those vaporwave inspired antique electronic sounds, blurred voices and field recordings start floating about. Fans of Rod Modell's recent output will likely find things to appreciate here. Like all of the music coming out of this project, the trippy atmospheres skilfully avoid any potential New Age clichés. A light bell tone or gamelan melody joins in as the track gets going, adding some sideways movement to the otherwise steadfastly forward pace.
This is a surprising and well executed slab of contemporary techno by a duo that have been at the forefront of developing the inherent possibilities of the vaporwave moment. Credit to Warp for giving them the opportunity and actually using the sub label idea to promote lesser known artists. Hopefully this won't be an exception for 2814 and we could see a full album in this style at some point.
   Duncan Simpson
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