ARTBAT continue to establish their young but impressive UPPERGROUND label with the fourth EP, this time in the form of a various artists’ collection. ‘Selected’ showcases music from the Ukrainian pair themselves as well as talented peers fellow Ukrainians, Woo York, Italy’s Stephan Jolk, and Lithuania’s Noissier.
ARTBAT are coming off the back of a huge gig at the Ushuaia Ibiza opening party and their last track, ‘Your Space’ with Dino Lenny, is still riding high in the Beatport charts. As always, they evolve their sound once again on ‘Generation,’ a beautifully evocative track with skilled synth craft that blurs the lines between deep house and melodic techno. The lush chords ring out into an expansive sky and the rolling drums work to hypnotize the mind as sci-fi keys add further detail to this most atmospheric and cinematic of tracks.
Next up, Woo York are long-time pioneers from Ukraine who produce a powerful, driving, dark yet sophisticated sound that is perfect for this label. Their ‘Like A Phoenix’ has a rumbling bottom end that brings drama and dynamism beneath the starry eyed melodies above. It’s a track that will have crowds lost in the moment on any dance floor.
Stephan Jolk’s emotional and energetic flair is showcased once again here on ‘Blossom’, a highly atmospheric and peak-time track. It’s a slow-burning and captivating track awash with scintillating synth patterns that lift you off your feet. Last of all, Lithuania’s Noissier has become a firm favorite with artists in the space techno world and shows why with ‘Stay Close,’ a chunky track with hefty drums and drawn-out chords that tease and please.
‘Selected’ features four artfully designed tracks, each of which goes way beyond the dance floor in their accomplished synth work and indelible emotional impact.
