#86 Feat. Staff Picks in Trance (Raw / Deep / Hypnotic)

Dekmantel continues to shape out the return of its UFO series with an EP of mind-massaging techno-trance futurism from Wata Igarashi. Capturing the energy of the UFO stages which indulge Dekmantel Festivals darker, experimental tastes, Igarashi turns out four shapely serotonin injections in his inimitable style. Theres an immediacy to the Kaleidoscopic 12 which rushes into earshot the moment the EP fires up with the insistent acid throb of the title track. The eternal undulation of a 303 provides the bedrock for Igarashis fluttering brushstrokes, while a tough yet supple beat charges underneath. Cascading arps are a core element of the richly melodic sound on this release, reaching measured peaks of ecstasy on The Sailage without ever taking a cheap shortcut. Understated, emotionally-charged eloquence spills out of every sequence. Theres a softer, blurry-eyed sentiment to the synth work on Steaming, while Interweave tempers classic acid techno tropes with gaseous atmospherics. There are plenty of crisp edges in his tracks for the dancers to latch onto, but Igarashi specialises in a fluid motion that encourages less thinking and more feelinga lysergic techno flow to truly melt into.

Wata Igarashi