- Many producers with Objekt's superhuman level of technical nous make music that feels like an exercise. Although his productions are notably precise, they usually break out of a framework rather than perfect a formula. You can hear this in "Theme From Q," the B-side of his latest 12-inch, and 2014's "One Stitch Follows Another," where unruly effects momentarily gate and squash the entire mix, as if the sound is trying to burst through the fourth wall. But while tracks like "CLK Recovery" and "Agnes Demise" are almost hilariously extravagant, his overall aesthetic leans towards the steely and synthetic. Objekt #4, however, introduces a sense of playfulness to Objekt's sound, thanks to sampled breaks and hints of 2-step garage.
"Needle & Thread" bears some resemblance to "One Stitch Follows Another"—both use restrained techno as a platform for pyrotechnic accents that flare out of the speakers. Contrasting effects—some plosive and pitched, others washy and sustained—jump above the mix with a clarity and impact enhanced by understated drums and surgical EQing. The care with which the atmospheric elements are sequenced gently builds the tension before our first taste of breaks jacks the energy levels in another direction. These breaks add a refreshing organic edge to Objekt's sound design. The track passes through a range of dynamics in the middle third, traversing eye-popping intensity and subdued serenity. It's the sort of tune that demands to be played in full.
"Theme From Q" has a spring in its step. It has pitched down 2-step groove, while the central lead line sounds like it was made with House Organ Preset #1. These sassy elements, in combination with snatches of vocal and another hefty dose of breaks, make "Theme From Q" Objekt's most light-hearted track so far. The central breakdown is particularly flamboyant, developing into a delightful sequence of flourishes punctuated by subtle yet sharp drops in the volume that renew the groove's impact. As ever, the balancing between the bass elements is superb—whatever you play next is going to have a hard time standing up to the sound design.
TracklistA Needle & Thread
B Theme From Q