In 2020, Detroit favorites The AM and Kenny Hooper joined forces and formed HLX-1 with a string of banging Techno and Electro releases. Their latest release “I Dream Of Acid E.P.” continues the hot streak into 2021 with two original mixes oozing Detroit flavor and a remix from DJ Maaco.
The title track opens up the EP with classic ‘dreamy’ synth pads washed in chorus synonymous with early Detroit techno, pushing the theme of subconscious introspection from the second you press play. Hard-hitting broken-beat drums and the creeping 303 line enter around the 1 minute mark delving you into modern sonic territory and providing the foundation for a beautiful 6+ minutes of evolving acid heaven.
The second track continues the club drugs theme, this time in the form of high-energy dark techno. Going right into it with a full frequency spectrum on the first beat, “Give Me XTC” entrances you from beginning to end with a heavily LFO’ed synth lead, more acid, and white noise steamers that work in tandem to shoot you straight out of the stratosphere and into the extra-terrestrial territory that the HLX-1 project was incepted to illustrate.
DJ Maaco finishes the release remixing “I Dream Of Acid” with a funky new acid line and a crisp, clean electro beat that exhibits yet another moving atmosphere diverse from the rest of the EP. Soothing strings and well-timed key changes throughout give off a musicality that is sincerely Detroit in ideology while the banging drums keep you grooving your body to the beat.
HLX-1’s “I Dream Of Acid E.P.” strikes all the right chords for a classic acid record on their first output of self-released material and further proves their immense talent. Certainly a duo to keep on your radar with their next EP already announced for May.
Link – Bandcamp
-Kai Loo
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