- Steffi is an old-school crate digger. After years of searching and collecting, her sets are just as likely to contain little-known '90s gems as they are this month's anthems. Accordingly, Steven Tang feels like one of the most appropriate artists to have appeared on her Dolly label. Whether working as Obsolete Music Technology or Misguided, he seems to have made a career out of flying under the radar.
"Metropolitan View," the A1 cut on his latest record, is built atop blockish acid. During the first few bars, it looks unlikely the bassy, coarse 303 will recede, though as Tang introduces soaring pads and a liquid-like ARP, it quickly loses ground. It's a good example of Tang's dynamic arrangements, which tend to fade seamlessly from scene to enthralling scene, like dreams. Somewhat doleful, the title track also adheres to this description, legions of pretty melodies bumping cautiously against one another and momentarily forming into various shapes.
"Subdue" is more perky, pairing sprightly drums and claps with rippling, drawn out notes. The contrast is simple, yet works well. "Swell" is perhaps the most analogue-sounding of the bunch, though it still retains a majestic, watery sense of peace. Here, great sweeping pads gently push and pull, while more angular notes dance a merry jig in the foreground.
TracklistA1 Metropolitan View
A2 Inflection Point
B1 Subdue
B2 Swell