Young Georgian talent Giorgi Janjgava aka Obstructor drops his second outing on mainstay imprint Illegal Alien. Based in Tbilisi, he’s been releasing a consistent output of hard-hitting techno since 2019. “Cosmopolitan” EP is a journey in depth of production and adventurous style choices, showcasing maturing artistry, storytelling, and aesthetic.
Based in Yucatan, Mexico, Illegal Alien has been a steady purveyor of top notch techno and experimental electronica since 2007, fielding an excellent array of artists over the years. “Cosmopolitan” comes highly recommended then as do all IA releases, Giorgi’s second on the label in 2021. Interestingly, the first track “Big Hat No Cattle” begins with a surprising vibe, a big-beat spacecore tune if there is such a genre- melodic, and immensely heavy at the same time. The beat grinds and pulses in deep grimy bass, downtempo in nature though it may be; the strings and swells are epic, cinematic, anticipatory, and extremely spacious.
The title track “Cosmopolitan” drops into a slippery groove that rolls with funk and a dry dystopian texture that grows steadily throughout the cut. The main syncopated synth riff is almost rhodes-like, its funk and warm nature uncanny. If this track were slower it might be mistaken for house; at 141 it bumps and jacks right along, groovy as hell, the hats hinting slightly at jazzy influences.
The next track “Mob” drops in like a twerking elephant, the beat jerking ever so slightly with subtle swing. When the hats open up, the vibe becomes extremely deep and almost classic, reminiscent of massive warehouses and dubby 4am moments. The atmosphere is cavernous to say the least, the reverbs immense and in charge. Cleverly placed minimal claps create drama in the breaks, the entire track a journey from start to finish.
“Reverse” immediately charges forward in a tense synth riff polyrhythm, tight hats creating minimal accents as sidechained sustained synths swirl in the background. The tension builds, never releasing, with the hats slowly increasing and decreasing, never fully committing like in most techno productions. The effect is full of anxiety.
This anxiety is completely wiped away by “The Machinist”. A beautiful finish, this cut is a complete surprise, a beatless visual painting with melody, texture, space and emotion. I would not have expected a piece like this to be the ending to a techno EP, its energy hopeful, uplifting, soulful. Its strange sci-fi electronic nature is evident, the sound design full of static and small human movements, while the pads and synth swells take this cut to cinematic territory. To call this “ambient” would be to oversimplify.
Listen to Obstructor’s “Cosmopolitan” EP on Illegal Alien at the link above.
-Nicolaas Black
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