- Across multiple decades and aliases, Finnish producer Kimmo Rapatti has plotted a versatile path through trippy minimalism and dark analogue workouts. Mono Junk is his most prolific project, a sound of splintering techno and electro that's grown ever more eccentric since the '90s. Rapatti recently returned to the radar, appearing on Skudge White and Forbidden Planet with muscular, noirish tracks like "Suomen Moroderit Theme." On State Of Funk, Rapatti's first release for Uncanny Valley sub-label Rat Life, he puts a new wave influence in focus.
The sounds on State Of Funk are muzzy and morose, with strong '80s-tinged synths. New wave throbs on "Can't Understand," and "Panic Of The Disco Fan" is cold and dramatic. Both are pressure cookers, but the latter peaks highest with a melody that sings with triumph and despair. On "Leave The Feeling," Rapatti plays his strong suit: weird, spastic synths. Here, a sour loop startles successfully, but it's less hypnotic than his past attempts. The record ends with the title track, a mean smack of electro. Exceptionally low bass tones brew at the bottom, while dismal whispers claw across the top.
TracklistA1 Can’t Understand
A2 Leave This Feeling
B1 Panic Of The Disco Fan
B2 State Of Funk