Xhin - Monad III

 Xhin
Monad III
STROBOSCOPIC ARTEFACTS

The Monad saga continues at Berlin’s Stroboscopic Artefacts (SA) and it’s Xhin’s turn to step up for vol.3. For those unfamiliar with SA, in a recent interview SA’s Lucy said something very profound: "Every repetitive movement or sound always seems to be the same, but really it never is because our perception changes all the time." With insight like this, you know that releases on this label are carefully considered – you know that this music is made for the right reasons. And it is with this quote in mind that we should dissect Monad III.

Dissect is certainly the right phrase to use here, because Xhin approaches his music with the understanding and the precision of a neurosurgeon. Opening track Mind, is a pounding piece of techno minimalism, there is just enough fodder in this track to stimulate your senses, whet your perception; the scene is sparse, dark and cold and you will get lost in here, so keep calm, and start to let your mind wander around. Key is equally dark, but less sparse. There is a swagger and elasticity in the deep kick, while the atmospheric stabs swirl to create disorienting but deadly accurate patterns.

Mutate furthers this cinematic journey. And this would be the part where Xhin, the master bioengineer (or what ever he may be now), is creating. Taking you by surprise at every turn; the sounds are otherworldly and their relationships unsettled and complex. The orchestration is timed to perfection and will leave lasting impressions with the deep thinkers listening out there. Finally Seed completes this chapter with a lower tempo – there is a high static charge here and the sense of inertia fills you with anticipation, or anxiety – a clever way to finish a very clever and very, very classy EP. Expect it to be picked up and hammered by some of the big boys out there like Klock, or Dettmann. We wait with bated breath for the fourth chapter. 

Macdonald Ali

Tracklisting: Xhin - Monad III
1 – Mind
2 – Ket
3 – Mutate
4 – Seed

.