Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Cold rush from Toronto

Cold Toronto techno

One of Toronto's most beloved underground producers and live acts, Arthur Oskan's deep and lush yet essential techno sound is a direct evolution of his love for Detroit and many cold winters spent locked in his studio. Performing live with analog gear for over a decade, his exhilarating sets are a revelatory fusion of sizzling machine grooves and evocative synthetic melodies.

Totaling ten tracks, his debut full-length is a distinctive distillation of his uniquely refined take on soulful analog techno. Emerging with the dark, nebulous tones of 'Sentimental' and 'Blood From A Stone' – which features Jesse Somfay on bass guitar – the album builds slowly into the hypnotic analog throb and iconic chords of lead single 'Fat Mobile'. 'Play Keep Away' renders a heads-down late night workout, while the propulsive synths of 'Tracksuit' pull forward with nimble yet forceful melodic interplay. 'Use No Good' captures the pulse of an early morning dance floor transfixed, with abstract chimes gently shimmering atop; 'Morning Calling' invokes the intensity of an all-out warehouse techno jam, wobbly analog bass twisting and churning through vastness in unison with paranoid percolations. The final three tracks see Arthur's melodic tendencies risen to the fore, with the anthemic euphoria of 'Pensive's subtly shifting synth lines delivering on a dreamlike promise of forgotten memories redeemed. 'Two Seasons' merges 808 percussion and synth bass stabs with classic strings, while 'Moodswings' highlights the full breadth of Oskan's talents, combining irresistibly bouncing low end, gliding pads and well-honed synth stabs for an elegant closing statement. 'A Little More Than Everything', Oskan's debut album overflows with the results of unwavering dedication to his craft.

- - - - TRACKLIST - - - -

01. Sentimental
02. Blood From A Stone (feat. Jesse Somfay)
03. Fat Mobile
04. Play Keep Away
05. Tracksuit
06. Use No Good
07. Morning Calling
08. Pensive
09. Two Seasons
10. Moodswings

The album is out on May 24 on American label Thoughtless Music.

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