Tag Archives: Critical Binary

Vromm – Binary Vol. 8 [Critical]

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The Binary series has been a mixed bag; the concept of a digital-only series allowing more rapid dissemination of music with less risk is certainly a solid idea for a label of Critical’s size, but (perhaps inevitably) the results have been a little inconsistent. To our mind, the series has been at it’s best when pushing the envelope with more experimental sounds, and that’s exactly where their latest EP from Vromm comes in.

There’s a fair amount of variation to be found in the four tracks on show. Nomad and Motor Hell provide Samurai/Cylon-esque slices of moody halftime which plenty of interesting sonic textures, but the other two tracks are where Vromm really excels himself. Zombie features some fantastically intricate percussion and a really nice second half progression, while star opening track Lake Monsters is a masterclass in sound design, with terrifying effect.

It’s great to see Kasra’s label providing a platform for an emerging artist with a fairly avantgarde sound; we hope to hear more of this kind of thing via Binary in the future, assuming it lasts longer than previous series Modulations. Check out the clips below and hit up the Critical Store to grab a copy now.

Posij – Binary Vol. 5 [Critical Music]

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Dutch artist Posij supplies the fifth instalment of Critical’s new digital only Binary imprint, serving up four crisp, futuristic tracks for Kasra’s ever-impressive stable.

The EP strikes a nice balance between atmosphere and dancefloor heft, with lead track Techplant keeping things punchy but restrained and closing track Rover exploring some cracking drum edits against a backdrop of creepy atmospheres.

Spin and Change meanwhile provide worthy peaktime dancefloor fodder to give the EP something for everyone. Noisia’s influence can be heard filtering through these tracks, though thankfully they aren’t similar enough to feel derivative, and the level of stomp is difficult to argue with!

As usual you can grab this one from the Critical Store; check out the clips and get to getting!

Billain – Binary Vol. 3 [Critical Music]

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Bosnian neurofunk producer Billain steps up to deliver the third instalment in Critical’s digital only “Binary” series, with three slices of heavy hitting D&B primed for the dancefloor. Macula opens the salvo with a punchy, rolling break and morphing bass modulations combined into a non-stop assault on the senses; not for the faint of heart!

Subduction follows suit, keeping the energy levels high with a mean, distorted bassline and another pedal-to-the-metal break, leaving only Conflicted to explore less aggressive territory with its choppy drumstep stylings. The production quality on show on the tracks is unbelievable (as usual for Billain) – check out the clips below and grab this one from the Critical Store now.