Barcelona-based Out Records hit back with release number 9, this time in the form of a jam-packed 10-track VA that traverses both the darker and more playful sides of electro-tinged dance music.
Self-proclaimed hardware puritans, the good folks over at Out Records decided to dedicate the label to live performances and hardware-made music. This is audible in each release as the tenacity between artist and instrument rears its head, capturing those volatile, livewire moments that can only be found in jams and live performances, very much bringing the soul and the human element back into the fore of electronic music.
On the premiere, “Ravi Raisa – Keep Dancin’” , flirts with classic electro sounds, moody pitching pads and playful vocals – fans of drexciya and the like, this is sure to be up your alley. Making full use of modern technology with a retrospective flair, this number hits all the classic parameters whilst keeping things super sharp and concise.
Booting off the VA is label co-founder Papp who shares his laidback jam “Balaton Breeze”, that brings that sweet sea air atop with each pad hit washing over like a nice cold wave on a scorching summer. Tasteful drum sequencing meets filter and arpeggiator trickery alongside some chunky low-end for a nice trip all round.
Finding themselves side-by-side, track 2 on the release “Taladro” comes from fellow co-founder Rocco.fx, who delivers an infectious, loopy outing that hears all sorts of developments to a bassline that is equal parts groovy and menacing, a serious bit of synthesis and sequencing that is sure to set the dancefloor on fire.
Track 4 “SAIGG – Make a rhytm” follows suite, with an onslaught of FM perc hits that rip and roar as some intergalactic strings permeate, providing some introspection on this dark, dancefloor-driven journey.
Next up is Ocatvio Octavio’s “Overstimulated” hears wirey synth lines meander over classic 808 sounds that pave the way for call and answer between a plethora of vocoder chops and whips before bringing it right back up.
Track 6. on the release comes from Greek artist Fro, with a title like “Groovebox”, two things can be safely assumed – that it’s going to make you move your hips and that at least one groove box was used in the creation of this tasty slice of mutated-electrofunk. This stacked selection of sounds leaves little time for silence as it indulges in the frenetic, top tackle for the late hours and those crazy after-after parties.
Next up Mima (GL) delivers a heartfelt number with “Rugido de Umbral” which hears a cornucopian array of sounds which combine to create a sense of tranquillity and nostalgia for all those places we’ve never been. Alien-like birdsong hooks over the sonic nest woven with melody and beats, its calls soothe and calm, providing thoughtful and pretty punctuation to a cleverly structured piece.
Number 8 on the release is “Maldefendido” from Captha as he taps into all sorts of atmospheric and elemental goodness, with field-recordings and industrial sounds aplenty, Captha commands them with grace and direction as he carves out a deep, stimulating number that sees itself metamorphose throughout as melodies and playful samples find their way in as the track develops, this one is sure to keep it interesting whatever time the clock says.
Penultimate tune on the release, “C.MØ – Bring it!” packs a remarkable amount of dynamics and development into less than 4 minutes total playtime. A space-bound tool that hears both the calm and the storm, as vocal snips usher in the storm.
Francisco Sosa rounds off the VA with a sweet last-tune-of-the-night type track that melts and murmurs around an uplifting lead melody and soft harmonies, keeping it rhythmic with some well-thought-out drum programming.
A versatile and lively output split across 10 tracks, top work from the guys at Out Records. Knowing what to expect from them we await future releases with great intent.
Pick up the VA here.
More on Out Records
Bandcamp | SoundCloud | Instagram
More on Ravi Raisa
Instagram | SoundCloud | Spotify
