After reissuing several key catalog items earlier in the year, Marco Lenzi’s seminal UK imprint Molecular Recordings is relaunched after a ten year hiatus, with Dekeyden’s Later That Day EP.
Molecular Recordings has a storied history, being able to claim a few interesting firsts: the first UK label to release Chris Liebing, the first to sign Inigo Kennedy, and the first to release DJ Bone. Some other key artists to have appeared include Kelly Hand, Jeff Mills, Marco Carola, Adam Beyer, Holy Ghost, Mr G, Olive Ho, and Colin McBean (an older alias of The Advent). Marco Lenzi himself has a number of superb releases on Molecular, like “Taboo,” well rinsed by important names like Jeff Mills. Relaunching his imprint with Italian artist Dekeyden’s three tracker is a huge sign of trust and belief in both the man’s talent and future. Dekeyden also released his first record on Planet Rhythm in 2019, which is an excellent initial outing that points to a bright future.
“Later That Day” begins with a deep, thick kick drum and a snappy synth with a quick envelope panning in stereo. Eerie sci fi pad swirls build in intensity and sidechain. Slowly, hats are introduced and another, questioning arp synth keeps asking some sort of insistent question, like the alarm of a starship in emergency. Synth bleeps take us further into outer space, as the tension in the environment keeps building. The title of the tracks suggests a particular event but the sounds conjure an interstellar vortex, out of which perhaps an invading force is about to emerge, suggesting alien worlds, unknown life forms and mysteries beyond comprehension. The track slowly pulses to a finish.
Davide Nannini aka Dekeyden had just cast a spell and hypnotized “Later”, so when “Resistance” drops in, the feeling immediately changes as if it were a high octane acid line. It’s not. But a nasty, dark, gritty, earthy, slightly distorted, gnarly synth takes charge and begins its methodical grind. This one is also quite hypnotic, but a much more aggressive and driving number. Right at that moment when the energy becomes comfortable, a slippy dry sound is introduced, creating another layer of syncopated rhythm and texture, mechanical and precise, in the foreground, where it’s most palpable; a sneaky feeling, speaking of spies and strangers around corners. Something resembling a shaker begins working with it, shuffling, intensifying the groove. Hat variations accent the dynamics, as the grimy main synth keeps churning its beautiful dirt.
Metallic sci-fi stylings dominate “Coincidences,” with a bright arp taking center stage immediately. The tone of the arp could very well live in industrial territory as well, but when another arp is introduced it definitely takes us further into the last frontier. Percussion (maybe djembe and conga) keep the beat grooving while militaristic snares shuffle, increasing tension. A vocal edit keeps pace in the background, adding to the groove a human presence. Dekeyden throughout all three tracks makes cleverly staggered edits in transition areas, especially in this cut. It seems to be part of his production style and a welcome detail in techno.
Dekeyden’s “Later That Day” on Molecular is available at most digital outlets, as well as on Bandcamp in the link above.
-Nicolaas Black
Check out Dirty Epic music recommendations here.
Listen to our podcasts here.
Find out more about our events here.
