- The epic chords, the rolling rhythms, the deep yet menacing tones—it can only be Mike Dehnert, right? Well, maybe. The Berlin producer has deservedly risen to prominence over the past two years with a series of EPs for his Fachwerk imprint—and later Clone—that drew on classic techno. Now it seems, though, he is keen to try something different: "Lautschrift" features a more stripped back arrangement, with a rough, muddy bass underpinning repetitive computer game blips and bleeps.
Its discordant approach is at odds with the billowing chords and epic climax of most Dehnert productions, but ultimately his determination not to repeat himself or to be known for one narrowly defined sound is impressive. "Regelschritt" sees him throw another curveball to his audience: over a glitchy, lopsided groove, he adds a soulful vocal snippet and the kind of cacophony of pops, whirrs and clicks last heard on Mille Plateaux. Dehnert's ability to craft a club groove is still audible, and while not as immediate as his Fachwerk back catalogue, achieves the same goal in a roundabout way.
Which leads us to "Nano." Less austere and centred on a softer-focus dub techno composition, its spine-tingling, building chords nonetheless pass the Dehnert dance floor test. It goes to show: Sometimes old habits are hard to kick.
TracklistA1 Lautschrift
A2 Regelschrift
B Nano