- Technicolour and Komatic inhabit a lush, classy world of drum & bass, like Hospital Records dressed up in a tuxedo. On debut album Desire Paths, the pair sometimes fell victim to their own lofty sense of melodrama, but Flashbulb reins in some of the extravagance to deliver four tracks that better display their impressive arrangement skills.
"Secret Smile," featuring vocalist Lucy Kitchen, sounds like a holdover from Desire Paths with its fluttering, somewhat overwrought melody. But it's how the duo casually work in seemingly opposing elements—cinematic strings and pearlescent piano against growling basslines—that sells it. The piano is Technimatic's best friend on Flashbulb, providing the duo's music with a signature lustrous texture. Piano makes the otherwise raucous "Dirty Hands" feel elegant and poised, and creates shimmering sheets of sound on the lovely "Flashbulb," a track that works ambient jungle aesthetics into the Technimatic template. Finally, there's "Remember You," which piles on the sugar for a rousing finale. Again, it's the subtle contrast—this time provided by some wobbling LFO—that helps cut through the sweetness and highlights the depth of Technimatic's production.
Tracklist01. Secret Smile feat. Lucy Kitchen
02. Dirty Hands
03. Flashbulb
04. Remember You