If you figure in Holger Zilske's release history as Smash TV, Mindlab and Acrid Gain then his debut solo album has been a long time in the incubation chamber. For the past two years Zilske's productions under his own name have focussed on the meeting points between subtle, deftly crafted techno and house. “Mes Yeux”, the first single from the album backed with”Metrodancer” appeared just two weeks before the LP and as a foreteller of what was to come was exciting news.
“Lichterfelde”, the opener for the album is a purposeful introduction; with its soft, ultra synthetic orchestral stabs and deep bass tone pulses it gives itself plenty of breathing space before gathering momentum and opening up to become a poignant piece of deep clubby techno. Zilske bridges aspects of classic house with modern techno aesthetics on “Rotor Rausch”, its simple chord progression weighs in over minimal percussion while a separate melody is mad of a sublime portamento bass line. Elements of tracks seem to bleed into the next which further enhances the sensation of effortless flow throughout the listening experience of the album. Though Zilske fills up his tracks with a multitude of intricacies there is also a simple minimalism working underneath them all. “Work” perhaps emphasises this best; a mainly percussive workout it is nevertheless plumped up with nimble tweaks and turns of melody. On “Golden” we are introduced to Swedish singer Augustus Landelius, who marks a midway point in the album and time for reflection as the honey toned vocalist injects a dream like quality to the proceedings. That done with, Zilske heads back to the club with the robotic charms of “Metrodancer” and the chill, drama infused “Olho Gordo”. Landelius provides further introspection for the closer “To Them To Me”, an atmospheric plunge into digital downbeat. He has a remarkable voice that Zilske's production captures with finesse.
When choosing a name for your production alter ego it can be fun to take the piss. The playfulness of a good moniker is suited to a music that is as carefree as its characters, perhaps nowhere more so than within the world of electronic music. 2 Phat Cunts was a one-time pseudonym adopted by BT and Sasha for a late nineties breakbeat collab called “Ride”, whilst Mancunians Ben Davis, Dick Johnson and Kiwi house DJ Soane flew under the Troughman banner (it referred to a certain eccentric who liked to lay in wait in the city's club urinals for someone to water him) for the track “La Sourcier”. French DJ and producer Shonky has been active for about 4 years, so carrying on the personality of one who is “of slightly dubious quality or performance” is somewhat of a brave move, especially if some of your output lives up to your namesake.
Such is the case with his latest for Contexterrior, a decidedly flaccid four tracker of samey, formulaic tech house that fails to light any fire of real inspiration or memorableness.
The title track carries remnants of Shonky's meeting with Robert Hood on his “Who Taught You Math?” remix, though “Chocotox” is a considerably malnourished comparison to that effort, its groove solid but ultimately forgettable. “Jazz” is immediately annoying after only two bars as you come to the realization that the track's title is going to be repeated that often, though the boompty house rhythm and wobbly bass work proffer no such similarity to the advertised genre. “La Madone” is a whittled down version of something that Valentino Kanzyani might have made for the Recycled Loops label around the beginning of the century and sounds just as dated with the brief clutches of material girl vocals and tribal, looped percussion. Overall this 4 tracker leaves you wondering whether certain aliases are better suited to one-off projects, lest they end up fitting too snuggly their own self-deprecating connotations.
Holger Zilske – Holz – One half of Smash TV goes solo and delivers a cracking debut album
*****
Shonky – Chocotox – Shonky by name... Frenchman fails to deliver anything but a lowpoint for the usually reliable Contexterrior label
**
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