#34 Feat. Hype in Electronica

Emergent polymath Brother Aten makes his first outing on Bruk with an icy slice of system-ready minimalism, guided by the cooly detached voice of Ze R. Taking cues from cult sci-fi and early 80s no wave, Fragmented Dystopia is a crystal clear statement trimmed of all unnecessary baggage. The title spells out the mood -- Atens soundscapes are stark and synthetic machine mantras punched out on outboard instruments navigating gritty, futuristic zones. On Unavailable steadily humming drones shape the space in which Ze R. hovers, initially delivering a deadpan denial before their humanity sneaks in as the track snakes through an intricate lattice of crisp digital percussion. Short and razor-sharp two-parter Fragmented Dystopia finds an even sparser corner to occupy within Atens subtly cyberpunk vision, where Ze R.s scattered words cut a measured figure delivered at acute angles before breaking into wilder forms at the end of Part 2. Originally from Brooklyn and now based in Berlin, Brother Aten has been weaving a fascinating tapestry of audio and visual work as MAF. His artwork examines the fraught relationship between technology and society. Ze R. explores dimensions of sexuality, subjectivity and individualism through writing, performance and community organisation.

Ze R., Brother Aten