On April 16th, the Berlin and Tel Aviv-based collective DURCH is back with their second “Solidarity” compilation, the second opus of their love letter to the queer community, featuring an eclectic set of tracks from the likes of Brutalismus 3000, Métaraph and Luca Eck.
“Solidarity 002” is the follow-up of another compilation released in March, and features eleven tracks by an entirely new set of musicians. True to their ethical commitment to provide tangible assistance to the LGBTQIA+ community, DURCH will once again direct all profits from the sales of the release to two non-profit organizations, TransInterQueer and Casa Kuà, who offer assistance to trans, BIPOC and queer invidiuals in need. Beyond the collective’s charity work, DURCH also aims to provide a crucial platform of visibility for underrepresented artists, and offers a seminal space of expression for new talents who are granted the unique opportunity of worldwide exposure.
Defined as “gender bender” and “genre offender,” this second installment of the “Solidarity” series playfully disrupts conventions and intentionally transgresses rigid categorization. Infused with the positively destructive energy that characterizes queerness, the compilation makes no concessions and thus celebrates the infinite diversity of sexual and gender identities. From techno to industrial, noise, ambient, punk, and much more, DURCH’s selection is joyfully boisterous and constantly surprises with its unyielding novelty.
The festivities start with “Moan,” Luca Eck’s ode to the male orgasm that defies the constraints of heteronormative sexuality. The track opens with the sound of a man moaning “fuck yes,” sampled from queer amateur porn, which introduces a refreshing vulnerability in the representation of male pleasure. A relentless beat and commanding vocals bring about a sense of domination, as both dominant and dominated interact within a composition that evokes the power dynamics of sex while placing consent center stage through harmonious juxtaposition. As the track comes to an end, the combination of gasps of sexual ecstasy with astral chords acts as an invitation to the exploration of the male orgasm beyond its patriarchal limits.
The distorted female scream that makes up the first seconds of “Satan Was a Baby Boomer” marks a significant contrast to the luscious eroticism of the previous track, and rapidly pulls us into a furious punk universe. Reflective of Berlin-based duo Brutalismus 3000’s signature aesthetic, we recognize Theo Zeitner’s merciless hardstyle-inspired gabber sound, accompanied by screeching vocals by Victoria Vassiliki Daldad. In a manner reminiscent of the chaotic rage of Sexy Sushi or Crystal Castles, the track declares war on the harmful value system of an older generation. Under the guise of a juvenile revolt against a dominant ideology lies a political manifesto against intolerance and unrestrained capitalism.
Next up is one of the ambassadors of Copenhagen’s growing fast techno scene, Neri J, who delivers a high tempo banger with “New Face.” Blending acid, trance, industrial and techno in a euphonious fusion, Neri J crafts a quality dancefloor weapon that demonstrates her ability to build layered compositions with great success. The oniric and whimsical quality of her production is highlighted by its contrast with the industrial nature of the following track, “Belladonna Is Your Flower.” Ex Machina is a Scottish DJ and producer who transports us to post-apocalyptic soundscapes that maintain a high level of tension to convey the sense of an immutable power. The incorporation of vocals and an intriguing line of synth bring about a touch of positivity that enables the listener to revel in the darkness of the track.
After Ex Machina’s ravey anarchy, Sylvie Maziarz’s “Mehr Schein Als Sein” seems like a much more gentle and soothing experience. The track focuses on narrative as it centers around a voice telling a short story about the way one’s identity is reflected upon others, which is a crucial question for queer individuals. A subtle and toned-down techno beat enables an engaging danceability, while luminous leads mobilize a luminous energy. Albeit without vocals, Trq-30’s “Pitch Black” also takes the path of softness as the Berlin duo takes us on a mesmerizing journey through layers of bass and trance-inspired sound design. There is something almost ungraspable about “Pitch Black,” as its ambient-like quality hypnotizes us and pulls us into lushes of radiant melodies.
Métaraph follows with one of the most ambitious tracks in the entire compilation, that shines through with its ability to create a beautiful combination of starkly different musical influences. “Contaminations” manages to collapse the emotional riff of a guitar with aggressive industrial techno and the transcendentality of ambient. The rage stemming from the punk energy of rave is united with a wistful contemplation, prompting both sweat and tears, and perfectly conveying the emotional effects of techno, at a liminal space between endless energy and hopeless exhaustion. In a completely different realm yet still retaining this ability to defy strict characterization, Glitchgirl’s “WIITWD” brings about a playful psychedelia ridden with indescribable sounds. Mixing seemingly acoustic samples with electronic sonorities, the track takes us on a wild ride through blaringly noisy kicks that morph and transform in a high pitched madness akin to a short and intense acid trip.
The next entry in this exciting compilation is a track we are proud to premiere, by a fresh new face in the techno scene. At only seventeen years old, Noko explores promising experimental grounds in “ste01,” where she unleashes a thunderous kick within a track structured in the contemplative style of ambient. The young artist demonstrates her talents when it comes to manipulating the spatiality of sound, to evoke a simultaneous feeling of proximity and distance in a composition that alternates between instances of meditation and momentary explosions of furious energy. Needless to say that this certainly won’t be the last you’ll hear of Noko.
The second track we are premiering for DURCH is Sch_Lz’s “Avanguard,” a much more conventional yet irresistibly effective dancefloor banger. While Noko works against the conventions of peak-time techno, Sch_Lz embraces its potential to generate feelings of pure ecstasy. The stripped down approach places the physicality of bass center stage, and the incorporation of finely tuned sonic elements inevitably prompt vigorous bodily movement. Sch_Lz shows off his abilities as a master of sound design, and delivers a sensual groove in a club-ready track meant to be heard at the highest volume possible.
The end of a compilation marked by disruption comes in the form of a loud and alluring rave anthem: ÅMRTÜM’s Pleiades. The track delves deep into playfulness, starting off with a blaring lead that conveys a sense of frenzy through its overpowering and intoxicating quality, before soulful vocals and eurodance-inspired sounds summon a certain nostalgia. In a track that seems to indiscriminately draw from all types of influences, ÅMRTÜM infuses a contagious sense of needed positivity. This is a proper conclusion to this second love letter to the queer community, as it reflects how beauty lies in uncompromising eclecticism.
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-Théophile Gatté
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