#6 Feat. New Releases in Techno (Raw / Deep / Hypnotic)

Secus, a mainstay of Bay Area record label Peer, has returned with his sophomore release on the specialist imprint. The Los Angeles artist showcases his creative range in the Negative Form EP, a cross-section of underground techno through five original singles. First among them is Ascent, whose hallmark feature is its polyrhythmic chime loops. Hair-raising atmospheres spill in slowly enough for a symphonic crescendo to sneak up on the listener before each instrument retreats to the shadows. Drift Signal takes a different approach, beckoning primal movement by way of an extraterrestrial groove. Every few bars, a distorted air raid siren rings out, leaving a gentle echo to trail off over the savage syncopations below. Cycles of shrill intensity add a layer of intrigue to this peak-time cut. A dissonant arpeggio instills an air of urgency at the outset of Negative Form. Looped to oblivion, this motif transforms over the course of the singles runtime. It hypnotizes the listener so deeply that they scarcely notice any of the changes throughout the arrangement. Of all the EPs conjurings, Obsidian Lens is perhaps the most haunting. Bass stabs hit like hand drums in this psychedelic cut, whose expert use of Foley effects seems to reflect ones shadow self through a mirror of sorts. Its up to them whether they see it for what it is, though. The EP closes out with Falling Through Static, the most melodic entry of its tracklist. A cinematic chord progression paints with a more accessible emotional palette than all that came before, not to be outshone by the cerebral sound design that has proven to be Secus calling card. As such, it only makes sense that Peer would tap him for a sophomore release. The label stands out as a rare constant in a rapidly shifting arts ecosystem, following the unspoken rules necessary to cut through the noise and reach revered tastemakers. Secus evidently speaks this language as well.

Secus