Alex Dolby – “Circle Of Life” EP (Affekt Recordings) [May 30, 2022]

Italian techno maestro Alex Dolby returns to his Affekt Recordings imprint with his latest “Circle of Life” EP.

Over the last two decades, Italian DJ/Producer Alex Dolby has been hard at work establishing himself as a techno ambassador of the highest pedigree. His Affekt Recordings label has put out dozens of high-quality releases in recent years, consistently honing in on its signature dystopian sound. Now, after close to two years of hiatus, Dolby makes his homecoming return with the enthralling “Circle Of Life” EP.

While Dolby’s last release on Affekt featured six outlandish tracks, “Circle Of Life” feels more deliberate and focused, offering only three. Each cut explores a different theme, various subgenres, and offers the DJs who play them a few different options. The first cut and title track, “Circle Of Life,” is a light and airy take on acid. A great selection for an intro, or the conduit for a grand shift in a DJ set, “Circle Of Life” is an acid techno track that soothes rather than bludgeons, a refreshing nod to the genre. As the acid bass line evolves, so do the percussive elements and melodic pads surrounding it, rising cohesively and in unison to a grand climax. The second track, “Rd203,” picks up the pace with thumping bass and an unnerving modular lead. While the track stays relatively consistent throughout, subtle tweaks and changes go a long way towards keeping the track engaging and effective on the dance floor. Lastly, Dolby takes a left turn with his surprisingly lush and tranquil closing track, “Tape 4″ as bubbly sound effects prance around warm pads and while a simple hi-hat pattern affirms the groove. There’s no punchy kick drum dominating this cut, instead Dolby chooses to explore a more gentle, relaxing, and even cinematic sonic aesthetic; a style that’s rarely represented in his established discography, yet surely welcomed by long-time fans and newcomers alike.

Support the artist and label with a digital download, linked above. 

-Jeronimo Watson

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