Browsing Tag

Minimalist Techno

Vintage synths create oceanic sanctum in Huts on Beaches’ debut electronica release, Coastal Signals

Posted on 2 November 2022

After finding an affinity for the irreplicable timbre and feel of retro synths, the Mosta, Malta-based electronica duo, Huts on Beaches, collected, restored, and used them to craft their euphonically tranquil debut single, Coastal Signals, which officially released on September 20th.

The instrumental extended release, which bridges the gap between organic house and minimalist techno, was designed to envelop the listener in the catharsis that the ocean brings in with the tides. Bringing the elementally restorative power of the ocean to the airwaves was no easy feat. Huts on Beaches were undeniably successful in their debut, which is an incredibly promising sign of what’s to come from the duo, whose first release wouldn’t be out of place on the iconic soundtrack to The Beach.

The single was produced in the duo’s studio with both members, Karl Gauci & Keith Bunce, contributing to synth & drum machine sequencing.

Here’s what Huts on Beaches had to say after making their debut:

“Coastal Signals is our debut single, inspired by the freedom of expression in all forms of media, but in our case, our music. We live on a busy island; one of the few places to clear your head and readjust is the sea. The calmness and the waves clear our mindset, hence our moniker.

We wanted to give the listener an uplifting and welcoming atmosphere that reiterates the message that courage can always be found to express thoughts, even if it is difficult. Sonically, the single is dreamy yet punchy to reflect the challenge of expression.”

Add Coastal Signals to your downtempo techno playlists on Spotify & SoundCloud.

Follow Huts on Beaches via Instagram, and stay tuned for news of their sophomore soundscape, Leap, which is due to premiere on December 1st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tom Algorithm – To Dust: Exploratively Immersive Electronica

Posted on 23 August 2020

Electronic artist and producer Tom Algorithm released their 5-track Minimalist Techno EP “Sequences” on August 9^th, the perfect introduction to their captivatingly immersive style is “To Dust”.

The progressive soundscape offers a complexity which is rarely found in Instrumental Electronica. The vibe of the track isn’t immediately obvious, to make To Dust even more intriguing, the nuanced evolutions in tone leave you even more eager to hear what Tom Algorithm will throw your way next.

Despite their moniker, there’s a serious amount of well-rounded human emotion on offer in the deft progressions which are robust despite the delicacy of the neo-classically-inspired notes around the swelling basslines.

You can check out To Dust along with the rest of the Sequences EP for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

We Are Not Cool – Pulsar: Ambiently Entrancing Electronica

Posted on 26 April 2020

Cool may not be what up and coming Electronica artist We Are Not Cool aims for. But after hearing their standout track Pulsar, it’s safe to say that they’ve achieved it anyway.

The ambiently entrancing mix incorporates organic textured beats which almost gives the soundscape a tribal feel. Yet with the futuristic tones added to the melting pot of ingenuity, Pulsar progresses with a modernistic magnetism which makes it all too easy to get hooked into the instrumental track.

We Are Not Cool found the perfect balance between momentum and ambience in Pulsar. Which gave the track an accessibly cathartic feel while ensuring that there’s little chance your attention will falter as you listen to the seamlessly produced progressions.

You can check out Pulsar along with We Are Not Cool’s earlier releases by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Future Pop Meets Techno in DIA’s Second Single “Call from Space”

Posted on 16 November 2019

“Call from Space” is the second evocatively visceral Electronica single to be released by up and coming artist DIA. With emotive Pop Rock vocals fading in over Minimalistic Techno beats, the single offered all of the accessibility of a Pop track alongside the multi-layered progressive nature of a Techno track.

Expect plenty of atmospheric build-ups before DIA allows the euphoria to break along with a succinct amount of soul being poured into the otherwise alien mix through the vocals.

With most tracks finding a tone or emotion is as easy as hitting play, but with Call from Space, there was a lamentable subtle moroseness entwined with the slight spills of euphoria from the softly sonic electronic effects. The depth of the soundscape didn’t fail to give me chills, and I’m fairly certain I won’t be the only one.

You can check out DIA’s single Call From Space for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Electronica Artist Mr Swince is Set to Make Their Debut with Their First Album “Beats on the Brain”

Posted on 16 November 2019

Electronica artist Mr Swince is set to make their debut with their ambiently euphoric Tech House album “Beats on the Brain”.

Sitting on the slightly more sedate side of Tech House, the tracks found on the album offer a distinctively intricate transient tone. You’ll need very little convincing when it comes to becoming arrested by deftly contorted rhythms Mr Swince offers in their naturally flowing soundscapes which constantly make unpredictable evolutions.

Their upcoming album stands as a testament to the versatility of their talent. The album also makes it highly perceptible that their music was never created to fit in neat boxes. Instead, if the listener is so inclined, they can attach their own labels whilst being enveloped by the blissful minimalistic beats.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out the debut album from Mr Swince but hit follow on SoundCloud and await the electronically constructed feats of mesmerism.

Review by Amelia Vandergast