- Agonis’ debut LP, Neutropia, is a boldly experimental record fusing transportive leftfield techno with drum and bass, ambient and IDM elements. Released on Amenthia—the imprint he runs with fellow Swiss producer/DJ Garçon—the tracks on Neutropia range from hyper-danceable to ominous and moody, with no filler in-between. After an ambient intro that brings to mind the glitchy surrealism of Objekt’s Cocoon Crush, the track "Algoflash" sets Neutropia into motion, with its electric zaps, airy pads and tight-but-frenzied percussion. Though many of these tracks are fast and gritty, Agonis' approach to production is far from chaotic. The album on the whole is meticulous and well-constructed. The hand of its maker is virtually invisible.
Other standouts like "King Cobra Not Happy" and "Pychrid" are ideal for moving bodies at 5 AM. "King Cobra Not Happy" actually sounds like a distressed cobra roused from sleep—wobbly oscillations create a rush of tension that never fully crests. "Pychrid," meanwhile, radically evolves as it progresses, beginning on a relatively straightforward tip before rolling drum breaks and off-kilter tones heighten the already unsettling atmosphere.
The most experimental track on the album, "0-Future," showcases Agonis' ability to easily toggle between various dance floor sub-genres—rubber band-tight arpeggiation and a trancey synth lead eventually implode into gabber. The emotional register of Neutropia is wild, tense, and vaguely dystopian, as if these were anthems for rats bopping through the sewers of Manhattan.
Though Neutropia has plenty of razor-sharp techno, Agonis has a more tempered side—in fact, that's what he's typically known for. Previous releases Into The Void and Maschinenlogik are deft examples of deep, focused techno. Agonis doesn't completely abandon this identity in Neutropia. Instead, he simply adds to it. "Thermo" is proof that Agonis is still a master of dubby, organic techno. Beatless spaces aren't neglected, either: "Ether" and "Sun Filtering Through Skyscrapers" are textured ambient specimens. They're also opposing forces—the former is droning and the latter is ethereal.
Just when we've seemingly heard all sides of Agonis, he ends the album with a downtempo cut, "Cherry Disposition." Even on this trip-hop styled closer, the computerized chimes and angular additions call back to the album's experimental opening, perfectly closing the loop. Neutropia is Agonis stretching his creative limits, and it's absolutely working. The result is an impressive debut full length that’s both dynamic and cohesive—Agonis' best work yet.
Tracklist01. Intro
02. Algoflash
03. Thermo
04. King Cobra Not Happy
05. Ether
06. Pyrchid
07. 0-Future (ㅋㅋㅋ)
08. Sunlight Filtering Through Skyscrapers
09. Cherry Disposition