- Benoît B is a French artist based in Berlin whose appreciation for bright, shimmering synths is only matched by the rich moods he can evoke with them. His two releases on his own Banlieue Records (a project Laurent Garnier has taken an interest in) set the tone for the label's focus on "hybrid, relentless and hallucinogenic music." The tracks were mostly driving, trippy, techno-inspired jams glazed with thick melody, the exuberant ethos of which was described in titles like Tough, Cheap And Real and Electropolis. Tropico Timelexia is the first Benoît B record not to appear on Banlieue, and it's something of detour. With three beatless tracks and two dance floor cuts, the EP is the artist's prettiest and most melody-focused work to date.
"Weekend Girl" wraps its 4/4 kicks and busy tom patterns in layers of effervescent synth, from the central loop to the countless harmonic flourishes and warm pads. Steady and strong as the beat is, it's really only there to carry you through Benoît B's synthy ornamentation. The darker "Crystal Fuselage" uses parts of a heavy drum break to punctuate its clubby pulse, while the swirl of arps rise and dissipate without ever losing their mystical tension. Both will go down nicely with DJs looking for rhythm and melody in equal measure, but that doesn't mean people should overlook the lush soundscapes of their counterparts. With their hints of percussion and reliable structures, "Tropico Timelexia" and "A Night In Gobi Desert" could bring even more moments of sublimity to the dance floor.
TracklistA1 Tropico Timelexia
A2 Weekend Girl
A3 Zanzibar Sunrise
B1 Crystal Fuselage
B2 A Night In Gobi Desert