Italian Techno producer, Alberto Tolo, shows us what he’s capable of with his latest self-release, “Foggy Safari.”
Alberto Tolo first hit the scene a little over a decade ago with a release on Dubfire’s infamous SCI+TEC label. Since then, the talented producer has shifted to a more raw, bombastic sound, continuing to find success releasing on acclaimed labels like Kaiserdisco’s KD RAW, Hivemind, Reflekt, and Different Sound. Over the last few years, he’s gained recognition, not solely for his apparent dedication to the craft, but perhaps more so for how frequently he’s been releasing modern Techno hits of the highest pedigree. Within the past few years alone, Tolo has proven to be astonishingly prolific, constantly joining many of Europe’s freshest producers on various artist compilations, and never seems to fail when tasked with delivering a remix. Now, for his eighth self-release, Alberto Tolo, alongside collaborator, DIT ZY, drops a fresh and noteworthy four-track EP, aptly named, “Foggy Safari.”
The title and concept around this EP is what first drew me in. The album artwork in particular, which features a faded, ambiguous, slightly unsettling photo of a pair of zebras grazing in the mist, offers an image that somehow seems perfectly suited for the music. It is enough to lure in the listener, but far from overly informing us what the music will sound like. The EP’s theme adds a layer of mystique, intrigue, and depth to the listening experience, elevating this project to something much more than just another solid collection of tracks for the dance floor.
From the start, Tolo’s collaboration with DIT ZY on the title track, “Foggy Safari,” toys with the idea of an unsettling journey into the unknown. The sound of a Polaroid photo being taken at the fourteen-second mark is just the beginning of these sometimes-nuanced safari references. Soon, otherworldly sounds, including strange animal calls, sneak their way into a brooding Techno groove. Scurrying off and disappearing, the sounds continue to come and go as if vanishing in the fog. The next cut, “Zone,” kicks the pace up a notch with a driving, crunchy groove and a hollow, echoing lead that is sure to please. Adrenaline pumping and menacing, this track hits hard and ceases to relent.
Similarly, the third track, “War Cry,” feels equally fast and abrasive, but this time with a slightly more uplifting melodic undertone. Occasional wolf cries sprinkled throughout help tie the track to the EP’s theme, making it feel truly wild and dangerous as the artist clearly intended. Last is Alberto Tolo’s grand finale, “Primordial Tool.” The sounds of crickets transport you outdoors and nicely juxtapose the rapid, rolling bass line you might find in the warehouse. An abrupt, syncopated snare repeats and rings out, subtly expanding and constricting overtime, helping to keep you locked in and eager for more. As “Foggy Safari” comes to an end, one can’t help but wonder where the mind of Albert Tolo will take us next.
Support Alberto Tolo with a digital download of the EP via the Bandcamp page linked above.
-Jeronimo Watson
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