- The past few years have seen a certain style of underground techno coming out of Sweden. It features deeply mesmerizing grooves, suffused with cool, misty ambiance, and tends towards irregular rhythms. Abdulla Rashim's Stockholm-based label Northern Electronics is the most prominent source of this sound, and Hypnus, in nearby Bålsta, has also played a key role. Now a new label is entering the mix: Nordanvind, the brainchild of Fjäder, AKA Ida Matsdotter. Nordanvind begins with Sagas, a set of heady, atmospheric beats. There's a track from the label boss alongside efforts from her compatriots Skymn, Nobodyhome and Korridor.
Long-form productions are the rule here, with tracks stretching beyond the seven-minute mark. First is Hypnus affiliate Skymn's "Memory." It's perhaps the most eccentric cut, thanks to a restlessly syncopated kick. DJs will have to tune into the wooden-sounding percussion and low growl to get a handle on it. NobodyHome, AKA former Minilogue member Marcus Henriksson, gives the EP its most straightforward track with "Speglar," a gradually swelling, 11-minute ride through thick acid squelches and fluttery synths. Fjäder herself seeks out more meditative environs with the rolling percussion, foggy pads and birdcalls of "En Liten Saga." Korridor, who's on a run of fine releases (check his fantastic remix on Skymn's recent EP Doctrine), offers "Somnolence." An urgent, darkly lit and typically dense 3/4 track, it completes an encouraging first entry for Nordanvind.
TracklistA1 Skymn - Memory
A2 NobodyHome - Speglar
B1 Fjäder - En Liten Saga
B2 Korridor - Somnolence