Highspeed Rail/Interpret Me (PRGMM005)

Little to nothing happened in this part of the world; even the tiniest disruption or the most trivial situation became the talk of the village. You couldn't trust people not to talk, entertainment and gossip were thin on the ground, they needed something to keep their minds busy. Aside from the cluster of shops and the village hall, a railway track slithered through the centre; each route took you to bustling towns and cities which felt a world away from their reality. But it represented a path to somewhere else; an option to explore new places, meet new people and see new things, if they wanted to that is.

PROGRAMM_LDN are back with another two-tracker of sound-system influenced electronics, this time from Swedish producer and Terrorhythm alumni Mod Sens. Taking a collaborative approach to the EP, label bosses Will and Julian helped steer the producer into new musical realms, where he blends elements of techno, UKG and dubstep. The record is a personal journey inspired by a sense 0f growing and advancing which, in relation to the sonics on the two tracks, Mod Sens describes as 'moving somewhere and progressing'  which is 'really what brings the single and EP together.'

PREMIERE: Mod Sens - Highspeed Rail [PROGRAMM]

Following his Hollow EP for Plastician’s Terrorhythm label in 2020, Swedish producer Mod Sens teases his upcoming EP for PROGRAMM_LDN with a single of soundsystem-influenced techno. The single, High Speed Rail/Interpret Me, captures the energy of Mod Sens’ collaboration with PROGRAMM_LDN label owners Will and Julian who, through a series of open discussions around the artistic direction of the EP, encouraged him to explore new territory with his music.

Opening track ‘High Speed Rail’ is delicate yet propulsive. Echoes of dub resound through a shimmering accordion synth and bring to mind Peverelist’s remix of ‘Return From the Stars’. But the track’s swerving low-end and jaunty hand drum patters gradually drive it onwards until it arrives at its uplifting, star-studded finale. That progression, from familiar to something completely new, symbolises an important shift in creative freedom for an artist whose music has often been defined by its early dubstep and garage influences.

Inspired by thoughts around how we perceive one another, ‘Interpret Me’ is confrontational. And you can hear this through its restless nature, challenging the listener to guess its trajectory. Contrasts of metallophone arpeggios with wistful brass yawns cause the mood to land somewhere between playfulness and melancholy, while the driving sub-bass that simmers throughout carries hints of anger and frustration.

“A lot of the time, I imagine myself in a vehicle moving forward,” he says, “It’s moving somewhere and progressing and that’s really what brings the single and EP together.” High Speed Rail/Interpret Me is arguably Mod Sens’ most personal and expressive release to date. It’s not the final destination, but it’s a significant step forward into new and exciting territory for this young producer. 

Credits

Tracks written and mixed by Elias Wirtén
Additional Post Production by Al Green
Mastered by Beau @ Ten Eight Seven
Design by Programm

Mod Sens - Interpret Me (PRGMM005)

Malmö
info/tunes: modsensitivity@gmail.com