- Bodin has been central to the Traffic Records crew since day one. He's had a hand in some of their most adventurous tunes, from the twisted 2-step breaks of "Vikoprofan" to "Geddo," an electro masterclass. And that's not to mention the Mahoney EP with Jacob—it's one of the label's most melodic and colourful releases. But those were all collaborations, so Octanowa is our first chance to hear Bodin solo. He's linked with the likeminded label and Frankfurt record store Gosu to release three tunes that wouldn't sound out of place on the best Traffic EPs.
There's a lot of melodic information in the title track, which brings tinny, glitchy lead lines together with a dreamy chord progression that ripples like a strummed harp. Like the best moments on Mahoney and Benza, it combines carefree sensations with a subtly deranged vibe that recalls bleep and early rave without sounding much like either. That carries through on "Torus," which is more jacking. The lack of a bassline keeps things tense, putting the focus on its contemplative synths and bubbling effects. "Sobamahoe" shares the same synth textures and has the EP's best bassline. All three sound as if they could have been made in the same session, but this is a strength, not a weakness. You could reach for any track with confidence, knowing the fleet-footed momentum and infectious atmosphere would create a feel-good vibe without a hint of cheese.
TracklistA1 Octanowa
B1 Torus
B2 Sobamahoe