- As the initial flush of interest around MGUN's music has faded and he's settled into something of a groove, his style has shown little sign of ossifying. Recent releases—the Resin EP for Don't Be Afraid, say—bounce between tempos, intensities and fidelities with as much verve as ever. But there has been a noticeable refinement in the Detroit native's output. His latest, an EP for Ukraine's Wicked Bass, which for some reason appears under his birth name, continues this trajectory. These three swamp-bound techno workouts vary in clarity and forcefulness, but each is extremely accomplished on its own terms.
"Mono Port" is exceptionally grubby, its kick periodically sinking beneath the murk to create a sense of arrested momentum. The wash of dub chords might have had a ventilating effect, but in practice they're so fuggy as to achieve the opposite. "Chip Implemented" is punchier but equally oppressive; its charred glimmers of synth are barely audible over the ceaseless throb and roar of the rhythm section. Finally, "Frosted Lakes" is probably the best of the lot. There's very little to it—kick, hi-hat, a bit of artful sidestick—but the way its globular bassline dances gleefully between ideas keeps things interesting. That and the ever-present distortion, naturally.
TracklistA1 Mono Port
A2 Frosted Lakes
B1 Chip Implemented