While last year was dedicated to a reappraisal of Christoph de Babalon’s musical oeuvre, with »If You’re Into It, I’m Out Of It« and »Scylla & Charybdis« reissued and »Exquiste Angst« compiling the darkest sides of the Berliner by choice, 2019 begins with new material. The world of Christoph de Babalon consists of light and shadow. »Hectic Shakes« is no exception. Right away on »Harakiri«, the wild aggressiveness is countered with stoic calm. Drum’n’bass in its most Squarepusher-esque form, plus nautical shouting from the biosphere. So nineties, so new. Compared to this, »Endless Shivers« initially seems like a bath to treat rheumatism, so that as a listener you only notice the drawing pins you’re sitting on very late. »Shakes And Shivers« tells the story rather melodically in the background, while the spotlights are constantly on the banging beats. »Raw Mind«, just listen for yourself. This much I can reveal, it’s probably one of the best composed pieces in electronic music in years, as formally perfect as Shakespeare’s sonnets. If these four five-minute songs are a harbinger of an upcoming album, we’re in for a real treat.
Skee Mask
Resort
Ilian Tape