- Polar Inertia unveiled a vague sort of conspiracy with their debut EP Indirect Light earlier this year, and now the mysterious French outfit returns to Dement3d with The Last Vehicle, the second chapter in this ongoing tale. The record follows the same three-track format as Indirect Light (one spoken-word introduction and two sprawling techno constructs), but the plot has thickened, as explained in the "The Last Vehicle." We learn more about "the boys," the two polar children, who share synchronized dreams and other potent extrasensory abilities. Now free from confinement but followed by authorities, they're making their way to the North Pole accompanied by our narrator, who by now is experiencing strange sensations brought on by the boys' telekinetic "mind games," so it's hard to say who is leading who.
Those eager to hear more of Polar Inertia's take on techno should be pleased with the other two tracks offered here, especially "Major Axis," the artists' fiercest creation yet. A shrill, bleeping riff swells relentlessly throughout that one, and at almost ten minutes in length, it begs to be given time to unfurl its precisely designed tendrils while in the mix. "Parallel Transport" on the flip is even longer, and geared towards a more meditative setting, but it doesn't feel as distinctive. It brings to mind the refined soundscapes of Italian artists like Obtane or Claudio PRC—which isn't a bad thing, but Dement3d fans will find themselves aligning more with the enthralling story and sharp rhythms on the A-side.
Tracklist A1 The Last Vehicle
A2 Major Axis
B Parallel Transport