“Galopp” is all killer, no filler—a raw and dirty set of DJ tools, like the kind you leave on top of the toolbox since they get used the most. Out now on the LA-based record label, Truncate, Alexander Johansson and Mattias Fridell carry forward the ethos of lean-and-mean techno with this 4-track release.
The first track, “Hicka,” is a hypnotic banger that immediately sets the tone for the record with its tight, loop-oriented composition. The vocal chops establish a swinging groove. At the break, we’re introduced to a dubby chord that feels like a klaxxon from a former Soviet missile bunker.
“Rappa På” picks up the pace with harmonized arp, driven by a relentless beat that never lets up. Just faintly in the background, the electric buzz of a shorted exposed wire hums away. The title track, “Galopp,” is a bit of a departure from the first two, with a more sparse groove pinned on the syncopated string pluck sound, giving it an ‘equestrian’ vibe.
“Hadderaja” brings the record home with a soft landing, providing a very chill and dubby vibe. During the first break, the chord element morphs and layers with a boomy low-end to change up the rhythm and has the very rewarding effect of causing the listener to sort of lose their place in time–a personal favorite phenomena in Hypnotic Techno.
All told, there’s wall-to-wall bangers on this record. You’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite, so I won’t. Be sure to keep Alexander Johansson and Mattias Fridell on your radar for the foreseeable future, both together and apart. “Galopp” is sure to ratchet up the energy on dancefloors worldwide.
-Dylan Brady
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