Displacer - X Was Never Like This

Title: X Was Never Like This
Artist: Displacer
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 8th September 2009
Label: Tympanik Audio



Album Review

A new DISPLACER release in some way like a lucky bag, as you never know what’s inside, which direction Michael Morton is turning to this time! ‘X Was Never Like This’ makes no exception here. Already the vintage cover says pretty clear that this won’t be anything like ‘The Witching Hour’.

A breeze of analogue warmth blows through the speakers with the beginning of ‘Elbows Bent At Right Angles’ lacing up with a psychedelic guitar swirling. With the hectic build of break beats coming in now, you’ll note more melodic drifts creeping through the sunlight that soon will take a deep orange colour with the melancholy sneaking into the tune. On ‘Junkie Blud’, the lovely timbre of Victoria Lloyd embellishes the hypnotic cocktail of icy synths and trip-hop beats. Last time I’ve heard her on a track was years ago on the last STROMKERN album. On here, her voice has gone through alienation and seems close to fading into the ether at times. First thing the title track’s going to unfold to the listener is kind of a telephone “conversation” ripped from a 70s erotic move (Just an assumption) continuing to utilizing speech samples of older date atop ominous bass mutterings, dynamic rhythms and saturnine atmospheres.

The vintage sensibilities all the tracks on the EP have come forward the strongest on ‘Never Compromise’ for me. It’s like a little piece of soundtrack music from 30 years back with a flash of modernity. ‘Windmill’ wanders on the sunny side of things. You can feel the light steeping through its every pour. From my point of view this is the happiest song on the EP. The regular track listing is complemented by a bunch of remixes and alternative takes. The ‘Renegades of Shunt Mix’ of the title track by Daniel Myer for instance makes it perfect to use it in the club circuit, especially in the dark ones with the sinister pad being the predominant motif. Initially, you ‘re wondering if FAMINE may have opted for a calmer approach this time, but it’s breakcore mayhem he’ll soon unleash upon unsuspecting audiences with his rendition of ‘X Was Never Like This’.

I must admit that I was quite surprised about the direction of the new DISPLACER but I like it, much more than many stuff on ‘The Witching Hour’ actually. It’s the overall flow and vibe of the material that appeals to me much more. Be sure to check this one out. Otherwise, you’re missing something. I’m already wondering what his next release will be like. ‘Lost Mission’ could be a hint already.


Tracklist

01. Elbows Bent At Right Angles (Instrumental Version) - 5:30
02. Junkie Blud (Feat. Victoria Lloyd) - 3:49
03. X Was Never Like This... - 3:17
04. Never Compromise - 3:09
05. Windmill - 4:10
06. Elbows Bent At Right Angles (Feat. Victoria Lloyd) - 5:30
07. Never Compromise (Resonance Dub Mix By Mark Thibideau) - 3:31
08. X Was Never Like This... (Renegade Of Noise Shunt Mix By Daniel Myer) - 5:12
09. Windmill (Keef Baker Remix) - 6:10
10. Elbows Bent At Right Angles (Feat. Broken Fabiola) - 5:21
11. X Was Never Like This... (Famine Remix) - 3:50
12. To Live, Love, Die Or Kill... - 6:24
13. X Was Never Like That (Displacer Remix) - 4:06
14. Windmill (Marching Dynamics Remix) - 6:53


Line-Up

Michael Morton - All Music & Production


Website

http://www.dsplcr.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/displacer


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10


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