Title: Future Lounge
Artist: Guiliano Rodrigues
Released: March 2013
Genre: Dub-techno
Artist Country: Brazil
Label: Gleichtakt
Catalog Number: GTakt032
License: CC BY-NC-ND
Most Techno style music holds little charm or appeal for me. The large range of EDM styles of music are mostly programmed with a specific mindset for clubbing and dancing, and could be seen as more of an effort in programming sound than as an art form. I mean, really, how many modern dance songs of the techno or house styles are around for more than a year or two at most? Seriously, how many can you name (assuming you aren’t a DJ who is spinning these recordings all the time)? How many vocalists or singers from these songs can you name?
Now, don’t take these comments the wrong way. There is definitely a place for EDM in the club scene. It’s just not the type or style of sounds like I like to listen to at home, or while I am working.
So, it was with some trepidation that I approached a recording like Future Lounge. The word “Techno” as part of the genre description sticks out like a sore thumb for me. But, the other part of the genre, the “Dub” part was attractive. And then I noticed the artwork and the touch of humor that is almost hidden in the cable running across the face of Guiliano (at least, I assume that is Guiliano).
But what about the music? Well, I can say that I like parts of it, and some parts I don’t like. The first track is really cool – nice blend of Techno and Dub styles. It doesn’t get boring for me at all. Even the more techno than dub second track, Problematic Insects is still pretty good. Desenvolvimento reinforces the dub nature of the tracks, with a slow jam that carries a nice groove to it. But Nicotina and 128 Reasons are too techno for me, the minimalist instrumentation around the beats really don’t carry the songs for me. And if those two were disappointing for me, Universe is a bigger disappointment, despite starting off extremely well.
That said, it’s about a fifty-fifty mix for me. Half the tracks I like, and half the tracks I don’t really care for. However, adding these tracks into a mix for a dance party, or playing in a club would work really well, especially with the dub element to break things up a bit between the EDM tracks.
(Note: Since the original publication of this review Gleichtakt has ceased operation. All of the releases from the label have been made available by Deeptakt Records on SoundCloud in a single massive playlist. The link to this playlist is included below.)
Giuliano Rodrigues: Future Lounge
Free Streaming
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