- Singaporean Xhin takes a break from his minimal base at Meerestief to join Berlin's new techno outpost, Stroboscopic Artefacts. The resulting release is a dark and mysterious EP of long-playing goodness. It's a new direction perhaps, but the two tracks here sound accomplished and will win Xhin fans in new places.
"Fixing the Error" kicks off with a rumbling and tight sub bass, the build driven with metallic hits and scrapes which gradually open the groove out into a more spacious landscape. It's menacing, but there is bounce and funk here—you won't so much be gritting your teeth as you will be nodding your head. As "Fixing the Error" progresses, so does its intensity levels and by halftime, we're in all manner of abrasive alien madness, nicely held down with that beautifully rumbling sub bass, which gradually works its way back to the forefront.
"Link" is less abrasive. It's ultra-dark, unhurried dub techno made for serious sound systems is obviously influenced by Echocord and Basic Channel. The manic stabs grind against a sluggish sub kick, pulling the listener back and forth in the unsettled relationship until the hat offers some salvation just before "Link"'s conclusion.
This is an EP of futuristic techno, made in a deep and rooted fashion. While it may not be so pleasing to fans of Xhin's previous output, expect it to be picked up by some of the big boys.
Tracklist A Fixing the Error
B Link