- Vlad Radu is a Romanian producer who's been aligned with some of the country's key house and techno names for some time. Despite these connections, he only just released his first solo record (he's appeared on a few compilations and a collaborative 12-inch before). The Mesmerize EP is worth the wait for the A-side alone. On it you'll find an original cut and a remix from Dan Andrei, both of which show two producers nailing the subtle, streamlined sound they've spent the past few years perfecting.
The record's title track is its most playable tune. It has many of minimal's key hallmarks—an elastic bassline, quirky synth snippets, a rolling groove—which combine in a way that feels warm and positive. Dan Andrei's rework of "Mesmerize" is more subdued, and sees him work with the same kind complex of broken beats that featured on his recent album for [a:rpia:r]. Blissful and meditative, it's another charming example of a trademark cosmic minimal sound.
On the B-side, "Esenta" is less pleasant. What sounds like a short violin sample is aggressively looped and matched with a booming kick drum. This otherwise delightful EP would've been stronger without it.
TracklistA1 Mesmerize
A2 Mesmerize (Dan Andrei Remix)
B1 Esenta