Our Saturday selection:
Alexander Church & Jody Barr – Configurations 11 (Configurations of Self, Config011)
The ever artful and innovative Configurations of Self label returns with a new EP from founder Alexander Church and frequent guest artist, Jody Barr.
The last couple of decades have seen Church emerge as one of techno’s most interesting sound designers, groove makers and synth wizards. From melodic soundscapes to industrial techno under a range of aliases he can do it all, and often with a deep thinking perspective that adds real depth to the music. Barr, meanwhile, last appeared on the label when remixing back in June. He has also landed on Krankbrother and Nofitstate, runs his own Portable Minds, and is also a close member of Sasha’s Last Night on Earth family. His hardware-centric sound is always rugged and real.
Church’s opener ‘Splitting’ is a scintillating and luxurious techno track with an angelic vocal drifting like a cloud amongst silvery harmonies and melodies. A driving bassline powers along the groove and ensures you’re lost in a reverie. Jody Barr then offers ‘Collusion’, a darker track with acid gurgles underpinning the icy hi hats. It’s deep techno for the dead of the night and is hugely atmospheric.
‘Dissociated Process’ is the final Church original and is another exquisite showcase of his ability to pair heavy grooves with delicate and majestic synth craft. The rubbery drums provide the rhythm while the keys and deft melodies drift past up top with a real sense of beauty. Lastly, Barr’s ‘Under the Rain’ rides on an expansive and cosmic broken beat grove with plenty of astral pads and starry synths unfolding in the wide open skies above.
These are four well crafted, high class melodic techno tracks that brim with futurism.
Tracklist: Alexander Church & Jody Barr – Configurations 11 (Configurations of Self, Config011)
01. Alexander Church – Splitting
02. Jody Barr – Collusion
03. Alexander Church – Dissociated Process
04. Jody Barr – Under the Rain
Buy release: Digital
Listen on: Spotify // YouTube
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Find out more about Alexander Church here
and discover more great music from Configurations of Self as well.
