With “Upstairs Downstairs”, Earwax guides listeners elegantly through the techno spectrum. Released on Steffi’s highly reliable Dolly, which has been releasing classic techno, this EP features iconic synth sounds and a musical approach that has remained largely consistent since the ’90s and ’00s.
The EP stretches across the genre’s spectrum, evoking everything from uplifting, shiny feelings to cavernous, late-night hypnosis. It’s a record made with dancers in mind. We can almost feel the artist’s intention, yet it also speaks directly to selectors seeking contrast and surprise.
Conceived after one of those famously endless Berlin weekends, the A1 opens the EP with a sense of warmth and optimism. Filtered textures and bending rhythms lean into brighter territory, creating a familiar yet fresh atmosphere for a very house-y result.
As the record progresses, the atmosphere grows denser. Each track gradually becomes darker, incorporating a variety of influences and emotional tones, mirroring the unpredictability of a skilled long-form DJ set.
Earwax’s own words, ‘from bright to dark’, sum up the narrative arc here. This isn’t just a functional dance record; it’s a reflection on the elements that make club experiences unforgettable: contrast, range, and the captivating moment when the music takes an unexpected turn.
Despite the cold display of techno sound, it has a lot of colours and a great sense of emotion, evoking memories of Detroit, Chicago, and New York in the past. It is also very mysterious, especially on Key of Life, oscillating into a neutral zone between seriousness and happiness. It’s very moody.
With ‘Stairs’, we are clearly speaking about what is happening on the dance floor (Could it be Berghain..?) The EP’s title motif is very direct in this respect—the dilemma of whether to go upstairs to Panorama Bar or downstairs to Berghain. When the music sounds amazing on both floors, which one do we choose?
Whether it’s house, techno or something in between, ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ celebrates transitions, grey areas, and the surprises of the in-between.
-Francisco Barahona
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