killer!! decks tipp

following their eponymously titled 2016 arrival on midlands graded imprint, as well as a recent followup on dark entries, solitary dancer return to the label on which they made their debut. once again, this three-track 12inch blends electro, ambient, and acid to superb, undeniably modern effect. with a running time of nearly 12-minutes, the title track transmitting to heaven is an ambitiously sweeping cut that subtly moves through its various shades, from electro and acid, to strobe-lit 90s rave. the b-side kicks off with birth of saturn, built around an arpeggiating synth that shifts and morphs throughout the track as the intensity ascends. the 12inch closes off with ‘at the end of the corridor of love, a loss’, a slow burning ambient piece that is as sombre as it is cinematic.

langertrackx, no compromise techno with flanger. limited edition hand-stamped vinyl.

for its fourth release, harry agius aka midlands graded label has signed its first new act in the form of montreal-based solitary dancer. with desire & apathy being instantly familiar to anyone who heard midlands essential mix earlier this year, this eponymously titled release marks the debut of solitary dancer, as well as agius second time stepping into the role of label a&r following hubie davidsons appearance on gradeds regraded sub-label last year.

after a two year hiatus graded is back with label founder midland at the controls and its been worth the wait. graded003 picks up where midlands 2013 drumtrak left off, left of centre club music for warehouses and basements alike. the a-side blush first aired during a particularly warm boiler room recording in milan last summer. it turned heads on the night and has garnered endless id requests on the recording ever since. stuttering rolling percussion and a synth line as bold as it is unusual make this one a very strong club tool. on the b-side outpost and holdup take a deeper turn, rich in suspense and expertly programmed drums, theyre unmistakably midland productions drawn from the more obscure corners of his sound pallet.