- Imre Kiss's music has always been in motion, migrating from the hazy electronica sound around Budapest's Farbwechsel crew towards the lo-fi house orbit of London's Lobster Theremin. The Hungarian has brought a distinctive rainy mood with him, but it's only with this EP on the Lobster sub-label Mörk that he properly strikes out on his own. He's made headway partly by ditching the Lobster-standard busted-tape sound, and partly by exploring new influences. "Love" and "She Moves Through Fire" both have a Burial vibe: a blurry urban romanticism, bleak but comforting. The former is rhythmically UK, its syncopated techno groove given crisp halftime inflections, while the latter is sultry electro. In contrast to Kiss's past stuff, there's not a hiss, crackle or tape-distortion crunch on either. Their crystal-clear sonics make them doubly absorbing.
Kiss hits technical limitations on the bolder second half. "You And Me Are The Same" is a single euphoric UK rave build-up, its diva sighs, spiralling chords and cartwheeling hi-hats building to the arrival of a kick drum four minutes in. When it comes, though, that pulsing four-on-the-floor beat is buried too deep in the mix to have any impact. "No Turning Back" is also about tension and slightly bungled release. It's Sleeparchive-style frosty techno at first, before a dramatic drop throws some crinkly breakbeat energy into the mix—a moment that leaves you feeling disorientated rather than gratified. Kiss is heading somewhere great, but he's not there yet.
TracklistA1 Love
A2 She Moves Through Fire
B1 You And Me Are The Same
B2 No Turning Back