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viewing 1 To 25 of 66 items
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8LP
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FIGURE 010LP
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Len Faki has always been a defining character of the techno underground. His unique approach to DJing, the consistent work as a producer and the quality output of his label Figure has all shaped the current environment. Finally faced with the opportunity of a long overdue creative break from touring, Faki decided tackle the life-time venture of releasing an album with the necessary dedication and focus. Naturally the result emerged as two parallel experiences. Both still carry all the signature features of Faki's style but with added layers of depth and detail. There's that special contrast of dark and heady grooves, paired with dreamy melodies that transport the listener to places beyond the mind. But we also see all strains of his previous work being incorporated, mixed and molded into something new altogether. While the first disc focuses on the kind of techno, which Faki has been brought up by and given back to for so many years of his life, the second is looser and more experimental, with forays into house, ambient and broken beats -- the sounds he has always kept very passionate about. It creates two distinct experiences, showcasing the entire breadth of Faki's cosmos. Many songs even exist as pairings, with their respective counterpart on another disc. Faki has given us a complete artistic statement, one that proves him to be as curious and driven now as ever, taking his sound to all-new realms.
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3LP
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FIGURE 005LP
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Indigo is Icelandic artist's Exos fourth studio album, arriving almost two full decades after his last LP. In the meantime, the seasoned producer has never stopped to refine his production style, mastering an aesthetic that feels at once minimalist and yet richly detailed. Spanning the organic and the electronic, drawing from early dub techno blueprints and comprising the beauty of his austere homeland. From this, Exos expands an absorbing atmosphere, sustaining the primal power of nature within compositions that hold an exalted presence yet never go overboard, instead, they gently push along even in their most intense moments thus vastly transcending the pure club context. The album's thirteen tracks are a sonic bliss to indulge in, each element is crafted so meticulously and balanced with care against its counterparts. Whether the luminous, spaciously glowing opening tracks "Reincarnation" or "I' skjo'li nætur" the then-ensuing hypnotic techno-trips of "Sælu-reitur" and "Quod Arcanum Leticia" and finally the deeply satisfying, dubbed-out backbone of the album's main body -- a series of Exos's signature-style dub-techno cuts that he has been perfecting now for over 20 years. Seeing it all mesh together in this concentrated form, it's the picture of an exceptionally experienced producer pushing himself beyond any limits to achieve his greatest feat yet. When the fog clears and the last tracks slowly roll out, the record leaves as smoothly as it had entered, allowing for reflection and contemplation of one of techno's most exhaustive LP efforts yet to date.
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12"
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FIGURE X035EP
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Dropping as the second standalone EP ahead of Len Faki's highly anticipated debut album Fusion (due late 2023), this release provides a new outlook on the producer's sounds, going far beyond the confines of techno that he previously has been known and lauded for. Opening the record in bold yet sensible style, "Gamma" subtly transcends the dancefloor functionality by anchoring its driving momentum in a wistful and enigmatic melody; a regular of Berghain, Faki also occasionally plays the upstairs room -- where the bumping house of his own "It's Time (To Move Your Body)" could well go down as the highlight of a long night, whizzing with of colorful synths and anthemic vocals. "Yantra" then is a reminder of the powerful, loopy and trippy techno, which Faki (amongst all the newfound sonic explorations) has still not lost his appetite and knack for. A genuine counterpart, "Shri Yantra" then picks up elements of its predecessor, reframed in an enveloping breakbeat journey through time and space. Going past the constraints of his previous work, Faki's signature style is still very much audible on this EP, while also showing how there are still endless possibilities to develop.
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12"
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FIGURE X034EP
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Announcing the release of Len Faki's extended debut album, Figure x34 is the first in a series of special EPs that give a glimpse into the body of work which the label head has put together as Fusion over the course of the last two years. Using the double album format, Faki finally found himself free to explore the whole breadth of electronic club culture, inspired by decades' worth of his own experiences as a DJ and clubgoer. "Don't Be Stupid Day", centered around the namesake vocal, is a slow-burning, deep techno roller, while "Hymn (In The Name Of Fantasy)" contrasts a dreamy, wisp-like melody with heavy punches of broken up bass. Both cleverly represent the wide variety of sounds found on the more ambient and house-leaning disc two of the album. Disc one is a contemporary take on the techno that has defined Faki's life and career since the '90s. "Hymn (In The Name Of Freedom)" borrows on the trancey lead synths and booming bass from those early days, making for an unusually euphoric and uplifting Faki track. Finally, "Temple" aligns with his reputation as a DJ, steadily layering mechanic percussion for an ever-increasing sense of rhythmic urgency.
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12"
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FIGURE X036EP
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London based Biri has long been a part of the extended Figure family, first releasing on Figure Jams in 2019, appearing again on the electronica compilation series Open Space. With Point Zero you finally get his first full solo EP, and it's a proper statement of his artistic breadth as an accomplished techno producer. Proving his club-readiness, opener "Point Zero" comes with all the right assets: functional, fast, and equipped a propulsive bass charge that ramps the velocity alongside grooving slabs of synth for a searing finale. A beautifully intertwined web of chopped up amens and cascading arps is "Upward Spiral", showcasing Biri's gathered influences from living in both London and Berlin. On the flip there's "Clarity", an atmospheric roller of booming bassline, brooding trance stabs and no-nonsense rhythmics. Towards the end Biri takes things deeper, blending bleeping melodies on "Rotation Of Consciousness" to slowly build up an icy intensity, which surges until it pervades all of space around the stomping beat.
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12"
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FIGURE X033EP
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Kristian is a new anonymous project on Figure Music, exploring a different kind of sound that is based on subtly nuanced live jams and oriented towards a slightly rawer house and dubby-related style. Opener "Doubtful" makes a strong first impression as Kristian weaves together lush, cheerful chords with a tight yet rolling bass momentum, carrying the track forward effortlessly. In stark contrast, "Dry Dub" is groove reduced to its bare essence. A straight-up drum track made of sparse elements that confidently unfold their subliminal power over time. The flip holds cuts that really want to spring to life. Swirly, dubbed-out sounds create a colorful and dynamic palette, rapidly changing in movement and direction. "Insider" riffs on heavily animated, filtered synth action, while closing track "Worthiness" goes deep and spacey, oozing with warm machine charm, squelching acid, and bubbly bass.
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2x12"
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FIGURE 009LP
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One year after its original release, the Placid Angles album Touch The Earth (FIGURE 007LP, 2021) is being remixed by an impressive array of artists from the extended Figure family. With John Beltran being a distinct voice within the electronic music scene for over thirty years now, Figure is thrilled to reveal a whole album worth of reinterpretations, including a new work by the original artist himself. Opening up is Marcel Dettmann, who seamlessly has integrated the lush soundscapes of the original album into a beat-driven but equally serene journey. Picking up on the LP's underlying dark garage tropes, Planet Mu headmaster μ-Ziq infuses his rework with even more rolling drums and ethereal vocal chops. The also inherent IDM roots of Touch The Earth have been kept close by Warp-veterans Plaid who deliver a shuffling flurry full of horns, synths, and syncopated rhythms. More straightforward interpretations include Dauwd's dazzling piece of feathery, fast, atmospheric techno; a gorgeous melodic house remix by Baltra and Cassy who turns in a rigid UK stomper. Amidst all the reworks, John Beltran himself makes two appearances across the record. As Placid Angles he adds another heads-down percussive/ambient swirl, which represents exactly what the producer has been hailed for since more than three decades now. His own remix finishes the record on an epic note, with an organic drum track that celebrates life and the necessity for communal gathering in order to dance. Beltran's own additions to this LP are like the essential glue that makes it all bind together, forging the old and the new into something equally exciting as already intimately familiar.
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12"
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FIGURE X031EP
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A year from his latest release on Figure, Arthur Robert clocks back in with two full EPs. The first one is a jam-packed five-tracker, sporting full-on peak time thrill rides such as electrifying elated opener "Mastermind" or its more brawny brother, the bellowing beast that is stab-driven roller Relentless. But Metamorphosis Part 1 features also Robert's more introspective side, be it the glowing experimental excursion of "What We Do With Our Time" or the dreamy half-time stepper "Cosmic Traveler". Fans of his more hypnotic techno productions will find joy in the modular magic of "Rising".
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12"
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FIGURE X032EP
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Part 2 of Arthur Robert's most recent EP package showcases his atmospheric style of dubby, strong rhythms and rich, detailed sound design. On this EP, Robert explores his mastery of mesmerizing machines, looping bleepy signals into trance-inducing patterns on "Abundance", "Watchful", and "Homecoming". A welcome brief respite from the madness, delicate ambient interlude "You Cannot Hurt Me" twinkles soothingly, as does the warmth offered by subdued hazy chords on the almost house-y "Tunnel Vision". Such versatility not only further establishes Arthur Robert as one of current techno's most promising producers but also makes this EP package a strong contender for one of 2022's defining releases.
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3x12"
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FIGURE 007LP
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When the first Placid Angels album dropped in 1997, Jon Beltran was already an established force within dance music's then-emerging scene. He had a knack for both the melodic side as well as intricately designed rhythmic programming. A signature style that went for his early records in the 1990s as much as it does for this new installment of the Placid Angles series. The blissful synths, Aphex Twin-era IDM and loose percussive patterns take you right back to where it all began when genres didn't mean anything and Beltran was just starting out to experiment with any sound that would elevate your consciousness. The Michigan-born artist since has spanned a career of nearly four decades, remaining relevant all the while, by playing the music he found himself most drawn to express. By working with artists like Detroit veteran Carl Craig, labels such as R&S or more recently his LPs for Delsin or his joint work with Four Tet. Whether it be his more techno-leaning or new wave-inspired works, his takes on ambient, or the more Latin-influenced productions -- he has always stayed active and re-invented himself while painting his records with a clearly own palette that is full of beautiful melodies and a timeless sound-design. The album Touch The Earth itself comes as diverse as the artist's own legacy, ranging from skittish, colorful UKG to proper pulsing sub-basslines as it progresses deeper into intelligent drum programming and further into the melodic ventures of what's at the core of Beltran's work. Drawing to a close, ambient tones overweigh, as Beltran oozes the last drops of emotion from this LP, leaving the angels to look down placidly. Full cover print.
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12"
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FIGURE X026EP
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Limited restock. Transition Part 2 continues Arthur Robert's reduced style, opening with a sleek tunnel-vision thumper, but then deviates for a playful breakbeat space exploration in collaboration with like-minded modular nerd Naty Seres. Eventually closing out the B-side of his strong eight-track package, Robert first boils the energy down to essential deep minimalist trip first, then ramps up the levels one last time for an exquisite example in rumbling dub-techno. Both parts of the Transition EPs firmly establish Arthur Robert further as an expert craftsman, merging the sonic textures of psychedelic jams with the forceful rhythms and intricate melodies of purist techno.
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3x12"
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FIGURE 006LP
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In a year of global shift and continuous changes, Figure takes a leap of faith and extends its catalog by introducing a completely new compilation series to the label. The Open Space series will feature forward-thinking electronica and ambient from a well-curated list of seasoned producers. Compositions that invite to let the mind wander, weaving stories, and conjuring up emotions. While these softer genres have already played a respected role in former Figure releases, for the first time in the label's history they are now being given the center stage. Volume 1 sets the mark by providing producers whom the label have come to love for their dancefloor-centric output with an open space to showcase another side of their skillset. Open Space remains open to various strains of electronica and ambient, ranging from the introspective synth-monologues (Sebastian Muellaert, kirilik), drone-y dub-experimentalism (Moritz von Oswald), alive and breathing takes on the genre (JakoJako), to singular compositions which slowly build their own lasting narrative and thus develop a genuine, emotive quality (John Beltran, Tin Man). Len Faki himself proves the artistic breadth of Open Space, sharing a powerful and conscious message through a rare and delicate moment of him exploring the form of spoken words. Other contributions include Jesper Dahlbäck as The Persuader, Luke Slater as 7th Plain, or Ralf Hildenbeutel -- a former production partner of Sven Väth and now a successful composer of film soundtracks. Unfairly reduced to background music, it is not the kind of ambient featured on the Open Space series. It is an engaging body of music, bonded by its contemplative, enveloping nature. Open Space bands together an array of fascinatingly skilled producers, finally given the opportunity to present some of their most creative and emotional material yet to date. Also features Kangding Ray and Antigone. 180 gram vinyl; full cover print.
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12"
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FIGURE X022EP
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Benjamin Damage reports back for a fresh slice of his singular strain of modern-day techno. "Alpha Centauri" institutes the record atmospherically, setting up the scenery of ethereal winds, prowling basses, and muscular drums. Picking up the pace, "Circle Machine" is a busy tune, rigidly rattling towards an array of tripped-out synths, yet captivating with their off-key harmonics. Heavier but equally distinctive, "Damage" opens the B-side with his skillful blend of assaulting, rough-edged machine sounds, and soothing, celestial ambiance. He then twists around again, cleverly seeing his listeners out with a surprisingly lively arrangement of sneaky synth squelches, making for a well-rounded as accomplished EP-package.
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12"
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FIGURE X018EP
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Roman Poncet back on full form, delivering his next EP for Figure. These four tracks are testament to his mastery of many styles while working as nuanced and meticulous as ever. Each track inhabits a singular drive or momentum, outgrowing the confines of pure techno tools. Take opener "He Comes For You", a muscular example of a dynamic and spacious building block, keeping the energy leveled and ready to move wherever it may be needed. Coming in a close second, "Taal" nods towards house-y structures, clocking in a fast and playful attitude within a strict techno's framework. "Sofra" is harnessing the anthemic power of trance-style synths while not overplaying the old school card in favor of letting Poncet's slick sound design do its work. Finally, dubbed-out beauty "Focal" ushers this record out smoothly, its echoing chords glistening effortlessly atop a powerful low-end bassline.
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12"
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FIGURE X016EP
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Technology sits at this EP's heart, its machine-made tracks creating ambience, vitality, and suspense across its varied runtime. It's tool-y at times, yet all the tunes sit and breathe their own distinct air, be it the upbeat shoving chords of (A1), an inquiry into the nature of reality on (A2), the tunneling abysmal buzz that is (B1), or the stark computer-stomp of (B2). Ending on a philosophical note, Eskapist underlines their mission statement as transporting meaning beyond their musicality and offering a reminder of our freedom and the responsibility to define oneself.
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12"
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FIGURE X017EP
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An abundant EP of Charlotte de Witte, presenting four carefully crafted tunes, both for peak time and beyond. Title track "Vision" is on the prowl, baring its gnarly teeth only for flashes at a time. Even more menacing seems "Out of Balance", a haunting tempest forming and ready to break loose at any moment. Kangding Ray surprises on the flip, his tribal stomping remix drawing a whirling vortex, breaking into realms of celestial and colorful trance. Unthoughtful reveals de Witte's emotive side, the cinematic stepper perfectly closing out her first release for Figure.
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12"
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FIGURE X015EP
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Figure's newest addition to its catalog is Nocow's Ualldie EP, a vivid adventure following his trilogy Vozduh (FIGURE 094-1EP)/Voda (FIGURE 094-2EP)/Zemlya (FIGURE 094-3EP) on the main label. Nocow's synths stand out once again, churning out melancholic grooves over five pieces, which showcase his ability to mesh the psychedelic and the heavy, resulting in tracks both bittersweet and punishing. It's a distinct Russianness, a yearning frozen within, which Nocow's cloud techno transports effectively using stereo panning, finely layered percussion and wide strings to paint his imaginative landscape.
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12"
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FIGURE X014EP
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Following his remix of Len Faki on Robot Evolution Remixes (FIGURE X008EP), Benjamin Damage now fully signs for an EP with the label. Here he shows just what is defining his sound as a singular artist. Known for weaving together the various threads in UK club music, this EP is tied it all up together. There's the rolling sound, so deep and dramatic, the signature that first got him credited. Then the record picks up old themes of early Bass music, playing wonky horns and nodding respect to South London's burrows. On the flip you get treated to a more dreamy and introspective side of Damage's sound, one genuinely exploring the melodic trope, yet without losing the steady groove forward. Finally closing the EP out with a mighty roar, the ultimate track is bellowing and bustling with rhythms, like a beast of creativity trying to break loose.
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12"
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FIGURE X013EP
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Kangding Ray consistently fascinates the scene with his unique style that is bridging the dance floor and abstract electronic composition, talking equally to the mind and the body. His first record for Figure spans exactly that arc, introducing to the label something as much for headphones as it is for the big clubs. The tracks on Azores EP feel as intimate as the artist's work on other long players but are focused clearly on impacting the physical realm. Teeming with ideas, he first lets his modular synths sway and turn loosely before switching it to a more bassy and propulsive approach on the flip. Balancing cinematic strings against stepping rhythms, the EP's closing track is another prime example of this producer's skill to craft something which holds up as an abstract piece of art as much as it does yield a lot of emotional tension.
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12"
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FIGURE X012EP
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Following up her 2018 EP Which One Of Us Is Me on Figure (FIGURE 093EP, 2018), Lady Starlight once again tames her hardware for some wild, live and direct cuts. These four tracks of unprocessed, unadulterated machine techno are some of the freshest analog output available these days, with acidic undertones tinging the record in a slightly old school flavor. Starlight still leads way in a highly condensed and to the point way of producing, where simplicity rules and basic elements carry all the tension necessary. Clever arrangement and little filter tweaks are all that's needed for maximum rave energy.
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FIGURE 004LP
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An outstanding artist since his earliest productions, Pablo Mateo now fully joins the ranks of Figure for his first album, Weird Reflections Beyond The Sky. This versatile album finally expands his complete creative vision of what techno music truly means to him. Weird Reflections Beyond The Sky is an album that is accessible to all audiences. When engaged with actively, it holds narratives deeply connected to personal experience, going beyond what words or even images can describe. Confronting the listener with their own complexity and emotions is both its feel and feature. A beautiful use of technology and synthetic sounds as a means to journey far within. An open invitation to drop all expectations and simply let the mind wander, creating an immersive soundtrack for each individual to explore. "Blew It" features Emika.
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12"
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FIGURE X011EP
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UBX127 signs back in with Figure for an EP that is maybe his most intricate as to date. Four groovy alien transmissions, sent in directly from his headquarters somewhere in the outer rims of Saturn. Seemingly effortless these creatures build their momentum, treating the theme of minuscule power to the maximum effect. The tracks have an elegant air to them, each moving gently at its own pace. Whether through ticks and bleeps, finely plucked 303s or swaying dub chords; all the sounds on display know how to work their magic for some stellar listening experience.
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12"
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FIGURE X010EP
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Figure has invited a group of artists to contribute new takes of stand-out cuts from Roman Poncet's 2018 debut LP, Gypsophila (FIGURE 002LP, 2018). Antigone turns in a dust-shaking flurry of tribal drumming, ceaselessly pounding and rattling away for an exhilarating and at the same time grounding rhythmic experience. Efdemin blends a bunch of lively elements into one wildly roaming remix. Margaret Dygas adventurously goes on a trip of finely-tuned acoustics, an enthralling piece of enchanted electronica. Evocative, emotional and of serene beauty, Echoplex closes the collection with an epic track, led by grand strings and flute-like synths.
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12"
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FIGURE X009EP
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Kirilik, aka Strahil Velchev, is back with another load of modular emissions. Whether it's the full-on assault of relentless opener "Quad", seemingly designed solely to make you go bonkers, or a more nuanced arrangement like "Reversible" that balances high-paced percussion with booming bass of the subbiest kind in order to create an usual yet irresistible dubbed-out groove. The flip generously gives a chance to catch some breath, floating gracefully shrouded in ethereal choirs atop the cosmic nebulae. Kirilik then goes out with a bang, the vivid colors of "Distant Call" zooming by in an instant.
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FIGURE X008EP
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Len Faki's Robot Evolution Remixes is a special treat, rallying up some top-notch producers from Figure's extended circle. In a massive remix package, these artists have compiled singular takes on Faki's "Robot Evolution" from the label's recent anniversary compilation Figure 100 (FIGURE 100LP, 2018). Benjamin Damage manages to mine the original track for its raw essence, harnessing a rough and lively -- yet streamlined -- high-energy track. The clever rework by Charlotte de Witte shows off her deeper side, providing a submerged feel while not losing focus on the floor, sprinkling in the acid stab for good measure. Emika's creative interpretation pairs her bread and butter (pulsing sub-bass and battering grime-style syntharps) with a completely new vocal dub. Her fresh fusion of genre-specific tropes serves as a delightful surprise and is one to make heads turn. Jensen Interceptor turns in exactly the kind of fast-moving, tightly grooving, no-nonsense electro that one has come to expect from the prolific producer, straight up and honest, a true Drexciyan descendant. Galloping and hopping, it's the Midnight Operator-remix that races along at breakneck speed yet luckily offers some great breakdown moments to catch one's breath before hammering it home on this stuttering full-throttle ride. Creativity abounds, and this package proves a worthy successor to the original track, and has helped the robot evolve all of its model's specific features.
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