Lucy: Monad X - Stroboscopic Artefacts

Lucy
Monad X
Stroboscopic Artefacts

Over the past few years Stroboscopic Artefact's Luca Mortellaro, or Lucy, as he is better known, has steadily carved out a respected reputation amongst the techno community and tastemakers.  The compressed dub sound he has honed, since his early years when he studied in Paris, has seen him explore a heavy, industrial world with an emphasise on dark, cavernous atmospherics.

In it’s aim to illuminate the darker corners of techno Stroboscopic Artefacts, established in 2009, has released material from a select group of likeminded producers such as Donor, Go Hiyama, Perc and Xhin. In following this path it has developed a strong identity for itself but one that is hard to succinctly describe. Experimentation is the name of the game.

The Monad series, alongside the main imprint and the digital only output, is one of three distinct channels through which Lucy directs operations.
Each release follows a strict pattern – four tracks, digital only and each created by an artist specifically invited to create an introspective collection and indulge their more extreme inclinations. The Monad series sets out to walk a thin line between drone, techno, industrial and IDM and is designed to give a glimpse of the possibilities rather than be so complex or difficult that it offends typical listening sensibilities – and on Monad X I think Lucy has struck the perfect balance. 

As with each Monad release, there is a theme that guides the direction. In this case, Pythagoras’ vision of ‘X’. Triad opens with a threatening thump and a pressure wound tight by rattles of mechanical menace and washes of lighter colour. The looming tension grows more intense through a series of sonic twists until Lucy relents, cleaning the sound for a lighter finish. Tetrad is a slightly less abrasive affair and nods to Sandwell District as it rubs against the rigid structure. Riding a submerged bass it dips into a more delicate palette until it is spat out by a blast of static and sent back out for the second half with a touch more intent. Arguably the most floor friendly track is Pentad. Creating a more ghostly feel, eerie voices creak in the distance and flashes of sound rise from the depths to hover and swirl above a propulsive bass. Decad rounds the release off, fulfilling the electronica element with a more considered, mournful turn. Drones and twisted cries inject a creeping sensation over a simple drum pattern until a voice straight from the grave cuts through the dense air.

I understand why some people might not like Lucy or Stroboscopic Artefacts. The calculated monotony or the intense sound design can leave a listener detached or make them feel claustrophobic. But, for me, the difference between monotony and intrigue, oppression and invitation, lies in the deft variations and imperfections skilfully played with throughout Monad X. The dub techno blueprint of Basic Channel, an obvious influence on Lucy’s sound, is something that is slavishly recreated but is much harder to refine. For Lucy, influences are something to be borrowed from rather than followed and it is his ability to use ideas as a starting point, and his desire to explore, that enable him to create a unique sound that distinguishes him from so many of his peers.

 
Tracklisting: Lucy - Monad X
1. Triad
2. Tetrad
3. Pentad
4. Decad

Listen to Lucy on Pulse Radio