Chlär is back with something to say on his latest Primal Instinct release “Modern Survival”. The “King of Groove” shows the masses he is ready to play hardball, taking us deeper than ever with a raw, hypnotic, bare-bones style that can be considered nothing less than fundamental.
Having garnered massive clout within just a few years, Charles Accarisi knows how to enthrall a crowd. The Berlin-based DJ, producer, record label founder, and mastering engineer is knee deep in the thick of his skyrocketing career with no end in sight. Notoriously labeled a reliable groove dealer, his determination to awaken us to our primal senses is taking way right in front of our eyes.
Currently immersed in a thrilling world tour, including several coveted all-night long sets, Chlär returns to wax on his very own Primal Instinct imprint to bring us to our core. Evoking a deep sense of darkness and the warmest embodiment of Industrial elements possible, “Modern Survival” is a slow burn. At first, it is straightforward Techno yet the further you go, the deeper it takes you. Shying away from the need for quirky builds or ramped up drops, there is no click bait here. He keeps the basslines steady and continuous, trading in effervescence for permanence.
Distinctively darker than his preceding release “Intrinsic Drive”, which had an interweaving of House influence, and a more colorful groove comparatively, here he goes truly raw and foreboding. Like getting lost in the woods at dusk, desperately seeking food and shelter, it plays like the chaos that would ensue through your body and mind, in search of life’s necessities. If we could hardwire our mind and body reaction to a musical output, it could be this record. You can feel the primal energy throughout the album. The musicality is perfectly round and harmonious while the overall atmospheric effect is cold and crisp, an engineering feat and a feast for the ears. The organic quality of sound is impeccable, making it an incredibly easy listen.
With 5-tracks on the standard release and a bonus 6th track available only on Bandcamp, the release kicks off with ”‘Internet Soulmate” with rich and heavy bass and a playful call-and-response melody. The sound of birds swirl on entry in “Supermarket Hunting”, which notably uses what sounds like a gasping vocal cut building massive suspense that is juxtaposed against the natural element of the bird song. “Body Control Officer” pounds on with bouncy bass, and frisky synth stabs paired with an ominous full-throated vocal call delivering a mysterious feeling.
“Competitive Influencing” highlights a tribal-sounding drumming sequence with another mysterious and interesting vocal sample. Hard-hitting bass introduces us to “Scout My Algorithm,” which later mischievously features what sounds like a distorted dial tone. The “Bandcamp Exclusive Digi Bonus” is a secret banger with a cheeky double bassline and a deep male voice exclaiming “boom”, primordially sending us into a solid groove.
In summary, the tracks are so artfully crafted it almost feels like a second heartbeat… if your heart beats for Techno.
-Jen Warra
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