nsi. - Squelch

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  • Following releases on Cadenza, Sahko, and their own Non Standard Recordings imprint, Tobias Freund and Max Loderbauer’s fifth excursion as nsi. (non standard institute) follows more in the footsteps of their “Reference” single than their recent Plays Non Standards full-length. Armed with classic analog gear and Daniel Bell’s 909 (he’s thanked on the sleeve), the duo set about crafting four tracks of deconstructed dance dementia, each track sifting unadorned waveforms over deceptively simple techno programming for a sound closer to Mika Vanio than Luciano. Opener “Ride” takes its title literally, with a series of bleeps and squawks kicking in and out over a single ride cymbal, opening the door for many a DJ to layer with, well, just about anything electronic. The title track, on the other hand, is a more subtle affair, with layers of shuffling percussion slipping over a series of ever-processed riffs, some vaguely Detroit ambient chords, and a funky bass groove for a sound akin to classic Black Dog material. “Risset” plays exclusively with tempo, rhythm and pitch, creating new aural illusions from all three, ever increasing speed but somehow running in place. “Nikita” gently thumps along while humming saucers whistle by into a gorgeous Martian sunset. nsi.’s mythical status seems to grow with each subsequent release, and “Squelch” certainly won’t do anything to harm that. Whether pursuing twisting rhythm and noise combos or neoclassical minimalism, however, it is clear that Freund and Loderbauer have hit a nerve that strikes both the experimental-minded noisenik crowd and the electronic dance community.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Ride A2 Squelch B1 Risset B2 Nikita
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