Relaunched last May after nine years of silence, Infrastructure New York, the label helmed by Function, was resurrected with six releases in 2014. Among those was the debut 12-inch by Campbell Irvine, a young Australian producer who personified Infrastructure's rejuvenation—or the "melding [of] classic ideals with a modern viewpoint," as Function put it. The three atmospheric, self-assured techno productions on Removal Of The Six Armed Goddess belied the experience of a 23-year-old newcomer, and it's a similar story on Reunion Of Two Bodies.
With two lengthy tracks on each side, Irvine dips knotty percussion and dissonant synth smears into a bath of haunted FX. Macabre artists like Shackleton and Demdike Stare are obvious reference points, but both tracks hold their own against such comparisons. "Prism Split (A Scrying Song)" is a weightless shuffle of polyrhythms that practically begs to be mixed with a steady kick pattern. On the flip, the queasy title cut employs skittish snares, sub rumbles and Morse-like tones for more DJ-friendly material, though there's little that's straightforward about it. Irvine remains true to his aesthetic across Reunion Of Two Bodies while revealing hitherto unseen dark corners.
A 50-minute bonus CD called Terms Of Propaganda is also included with the vinyl package. The disc is a seamless mix of original music that further explores Irvine's single-minded soundscapes. It feels like a take-home version of an exploratory, sample-heavy live set, which can be both engrossing and self-indulgent. Propaganda is best heard as an extended companion piece to the more balanced Reunion, and not a full-length statement from this talented producer.
With two lengthy tracks on each side, Irvine dips knotty percussion and dissonant synth smears into a bath of haunted FX. Macabre artists like Shackleton and Demdike Stare are obvious reference points, but both tracks hold their own against such comparisons. "Prism Split (A Scrying Song)" is a weightless shuffle of polyrhythms that practically begs to be mixed with a steady kick pattern. On the flip, the queasy title cut employs skittish snares, sub rumbles and Morse-like tones for more DJ-friendly material, though there's little that's straightforward about it. Irvine remains true to his aesthetic across Reunion Of Two Bodies while revealing hitherto unseen dark corners.
A 50-minute bonus CD called Terms Of Propaganda is also included with the vinyl package. The disc is a seamless mix of original music that further explores Irvine's single-minded soundscapes. It feels like a take-home version of an exploratory, sample-heavy live set, which can be both engrossing and self-indulgent. Propaganda is best heard as an extended companion piece to the more balanced Reunion, and not a full-length statement from this talented producer.
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Published /
Fri / 27 Mar 2015 -
Words /
Patric Fallon -
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Tracklist /
A1 Prism Split (A Scrying Song)
B1 Reunion Of Two Bodies
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