- The Kompakt Speicher series usually features an artist on each side but on Speicher 34 Oxia joins the handful of producers afforded both. The A is polished and upbeat electro-influenced techno typical of Oxia releases on Terminal M, Intec and his own label Goodlife while the B has a poppier, peak-time, trancey sound.
'Change Works' is a slice of offbeat techno with hints of Laurent Garnier's 'Crispy Bacon'. Memorable for clever shifts in tone, the unrelenting minimal groove rolls into a bass synth that shifts the track into the correct gear. This one will raise the room temperature and make dancefloors simmer.
On the flip 'Domino' (not that unlike Patrick Chardronnet's 'Eve by Day') has the hallmarks of a summer festival anthem. Oscillating melodic tones, a skippy high end and a driving insistence give this side the competitive edge. It's bound to have a big impact on dancefloors. Oxia AKA Olivier Raymond knows his atmospheric and melodic techno but 'Domino' certainly possesses more of an anthemic lift than his previous releases.
This Speicher will surprise Kompakt's coterie of admirers. With previous Speichers such as the Superpitcher, The Orb, and Wighnomy Bros 'Wurz & Blosse' drinking deep from the dark and moody cup of techno, I must say I am slightly puzzled by Speicher 34. As the summer parties approach, I can only assume Kompakt have decided to run with some bigroom techno to keep the more mainstream partyheads happy.