Angels Landing by Kr!z

Previews: https://soundcloud.com/tokenrecords/token128-krz-angels-landing

In the wake of a string of record releases, Token’s curator returns to his label with ‘Angels Landing’ to highlight his mission statement. Four cuts of delirious and dissonant techno from the Belgian artist have proven to be a stylistic favorite in both his productions and his DJ sets. With a wink to older production techniques, Kr!z keeps this contribution to Token fresh and efficient while reaffirming the historic label’s sonic identity.

While using a steady bassline for his tracks, Kr!z ups the ante with a Detroit-style pad that floats around the rest of the record for the ‘Angels Landing’ title track. By opening and closing hihats, rolling the claps all along, and pitching his rides, he creates tension by fully utilizing his drum machine. The synth stabs and overall pace make for a modern twist, however; it’s applicable music for layered sets that the Token boss has been known for performing over the years. This dance-ready, nostalgic-nudging kind of techno is spread throughout the entirety of the EP, but is most transparent on the B1 ‘Oblivion’. Key stab sequences have been iconic in the scene for some time, but it’s Kr!z’s persistence and minimalism that renders this track so exciting. Opening and shutting filters, sliding portamento, and pushing the release, the seasoned artist manifests tension through minimal elements and relies on his transitions to keep up the pace. Usually juggling between rounder and sharper sound design, ‘Medusa’ boasts both; Kr!z’s electric lead bites a low- swaying synth line. Destined for peak use, complete with white noise transitions and open rides, Kr!z combines the sound of a club at its climax with his almost psychotic low-mid arpeggio to create one of his most hypnotic tracks to date. ‘Ninth Circle’, on the other hand, dials it back as the last track. More keys, yet obscure in intention and effect, the closer creates a question mark at the end of the EP with big transitions and a groovy use of toms. Cementing himself as a game player in production as much as in DJing, Kr!z’s ‘Angels Landing’ continues his search in eerie sounds and expressive drums to add to his label’s catalog of savant club music.

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