- Underwater techno done just right.
- The ocean is among techno's favorite motifs for good reason. The cold, uncharted expanse of the seabed perfectly suits the genre's more hypnotic side. But with so many artists leaning on the reference, the bar is set high. Now on his third Deep Blue record, Luigi Tozzi has the formula down pat. Percussion is submerged until its edges go soft; synthetic sounds bubble and reverberate with illusory oceanic characteristics; wandering echoes conjure a zone where nothing happens fast. The resulting experience is about as rich and immersive as you could get from a techno long-player.
Tozzi follows the format of the first two chapters—a beatless plunge followed by an extended underwater exploration—but this time goes slower and more spacious, allowing the gradually enveloping soundscapes to be enjoyed in widescreen. It's a natural progression for the series, which, especially when presented on heavy-weight marbled vinyl, feels like something to be marveled at rather than played for a crowd of revelers.
Even the record's boomiest moments (like "Taravana," or the dub techno-inspired "Dream Liquid") choose powerful sound design over muscular rhythms. It's music for dreaming—or "selfish" music, as one Discogs commenter bluntly puts it—perfect for the two ends of a night, when the most dedicated dance with arms by their sides and dry ice fills the spaces between.
The more restrained moments require some patience, which won't be a problem among Tozzi and Hypnus's faithful. He indulges in lengthy scene-setting, like the casually plodding "Mirage," testing how long you can hold your breath. The payoff is worth it—a bright melody breaks through the surface on album centrepiece "Epica Del Ritorno," before the 14-minute epic, "Le Grand Bleu," introduces a lurching beast of a bassline. With or without the digital-only outro, it's a dynamic, confident conclusion that hits right in the feels.
Seven years have passed since Tozzi released the first Deep Blue record and, somehow, it feels like the project still has a lot left to give. While this third instalment pushes into more abstract realms, it's a measured evolution, faithfully invested in those who appreciate the familiarity of kick drums and a techno framework. Tozzi is also shrewd with the emotional content, deploying melody in concentrated, cloud-clearing moments. Elevated by Hypnus's thoughtful presentation, the beloved Deep Blue series has earned the air of a long game, taking care to explore the entirety of each step before getting too deep.
Tracklist01. Intro
02. Salina
03. Mirage
04. Sospensione
05. Taravana
06. Epica del Ritorno
07. Dream Liquid
08. Posidonia
09. Le Grand Bleu
10. Emersione