Second Seasons - Density Of Traction (Schematic)

**dcom** · September 9, 2024

We Are The Music Makers | Volume One by Various

This release requires a massive bump up from a single comment in a random thread. Almost passed me by as well, but luckily Igloo pointed at it for me. Highly recommended.

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Continuing Second Seasons’ endeavor on Schematic, in July the seminal label released the Brooklyn-based artist’s 12-track album called Density of Traction, a complex piece of art, rich in detail and far from following any common music patterns, which Autechre and Gescom lovers should listen to.

“Speck Ascent” introduces the album stating to the listener that this release requires an open mind and that mundane expectations should be set aside. “-_–__—___——___—__–_-” follows like a mechanical music gadget created to continuously disrupt the system. So there comes “4j Memory,” a very granular and glitchy tune that breaks rules and smashes with mastery the brain parts that are still trying to find rhythmic patterns in search for a comfort zone. Nevertheless, at midpoint, one can finally rejoice with lovely Gescom-like beats, which later on gets deconstructed again, of course. “Mesh Sifter” goes back to an everlasting percussion pounding mixed with panning drills until my favorite track enters the game. “J4 Shimmer” shows emotion in glitch mode like no other. It is amazing how the artist progresses with the song presenting the audience bit by bit with a new inner chapter. It blossoms beautifully!

At this point in the album, the use of more prominent melodies comes alive in “E/C,” a slapping electro with crescendo pads and laser beams. On the other hand, “fL Weave” focuses again on the percussion as a continuous beat makes it a cool glitch-hop tune. Although “-ext-” is beatless, it is a strong interlude to prepare for another highlight. “Sw!ft” starts with a beautiful melody but as it progresses, a stuttering rhythm takes hold of it, always swifting, which makes the track mutate to a level that never comes back to its original state. Something that seems to be one of the artist’s motos, an unceasing movement in need of change.

The last three tracks begin to direct the listener to the end of the journey as the experience gets slow paced in “T!lt,” followed by the ambient “`,-,” an experimental tune with futuristic electronic sound bites that recall Stockhausen’s early tape works in Musique Concrète. The smooth and beautiful “Speck Sustained” brings long pad notes, echoes and complementing speedy (but light) percussion, which finishes the album in an oniric vibration. Great release!

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