minimal

Growing up on the north Atlantic island of Iceland bestows one with an unusual and often intense relationship with light and colour: Summers come with endless days, Winters with scant sunlight yet increased sightings of the Aurora Borealis; the mysterious and awe-inspiring glow across the sky. Channelling these energies, Exos comes to Tresor with his Green Light EP, a five-track collection of the sort of spectrally rich techno synonymous with the Northman's 27-year career.

Across the EP, the five tracks fizz and pulsate driving ever forward, making the release's title a three-way play on words referencing the continuous travelling of photons, the verdant warping of the Northern Lights, and the universal colour for Go, for forward propulsion. Smart wordplay can also be found in titles like Gr&aacute;tt Silfur, a term in &Iacute;slenska (literally "grey sliver") which signifies a tension between two parties, further extending the colour metaphor and dark/light dichotomy found elsewhere.


The digital release comes with three extra tracks that continue the dynamic energy, pushed along by the same shifting, mutating force where the music often feels like voices calling out from the darkness or the shimmer of light as the sun rises across the horizon.

Green Light EP continues this year's blazing return from an artist who, similar to his output, is never stagnant: ever changing form yet ever moving forward.

BANDCAMP

Exos - Fire Chant

Exos - Green Light

Exos - Only One Way

Growing up on the north Atlantic island of Iceland bestows one with an unusual and often intense relationship with light and colour: Summers come with endless days, Winters with scant sunlight yet increased sightings of the Aurora Borealis; the mysterious and awe-inspiring glow across the sky. Channelling these energies, Exos comes to Tresor with his Green Light EP, a five-track collection of the sort of spectrally rich techno synonymous with the Northman's 27-year career.

Across the EP, the five tracks fizz and pulsate driving ever forward, making the release's title a three-way play on words referencing the continuous travelling of photons, the verdant warping of the Northern Lights, and the universal colour for Go, for forward propulsion. Smart wordplay can also be found in titles like Gratt Silfur, a term in &Iacute;slenska (literally "grey sliver") which signifies a tension between two parties, further extending the colour metaphor and dark/light dichotomy found elsewhere.


The digital release comes with three extra tracks that continue the dynamic energy, pushed along by the same shifting, mutating force where the music often feels like voices calling out from the darkness or the shimmer of light as the sun rises across the horizon.

Green Light EP continues this year's blazing return from an artist who, similar to his output, is never stagnant: ever changing form yet ever moving forward.

Exos - Everyday

Release date (vinyl & digital): 8th of November

TRACKLIST:
A1. Flauta
A2. Despida
B1. Golpe
B2. Camarada

INFO:
A natural fit for the Token label and now a regular contributor, Nørbak presents his new release ‘Flauta’ on the Belgian imprint. Keeping things driving and dense, his productions boast a raw intensity, continuing to describe spacious rooms with roaring atmospheres. 

The title track serves as a firm introduction to the project; ‘Flauta’ is a typical Nørbak A1. Claps on the kick, thick sound design on all levels, and tribal percussion make for an imposing first track. Finding groove in the chaos is never difficult for the Portuguese artist, his seamless blend of functional and mental techno make for quite a recognizable sound with reliable effect. On the other hand, his followup ‘Despida’ sharpens the tone and focuses its elements. Proving he can do just as much damage with a more minimal approach, Nørbak drops the claps for shakers and whips up a distorted stab as the main driver of the track. Despite the versatility of his records, there is something very homogenous about the tonality of his drums and synths - they seem electric, and ‘Despida’ truly nails that aesthetic. Moving on to the B side, we have yet another facade of the project. While ‘Golpe’ has a classic foundation, Nørbak’s flamboyant sound design guides the track’s arrangement, making anything but a loop. The record’s structure makes for clear accents that insist on a pulsating atmosphere. This moves perfectly into the EP’s conclusion. ‘Camarada’ resembles more ‘Despida’ in the minimal construction, retaining a lot of the squelching lead textures. Mastering the question/answer style of techno, Nørbak is able to capitalize on the tonality of his sonic experiments to create swing on the dance floor. Obscure, quick, and elusive, Nørbak wraps up ‘Flauta’ with restraint and efficiency.

minimal

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