A first of many to come.
Circles & Stones release their debut EP „Various Gems I“ with four various artists who, at first glance, hail from varying corners of the music spectrum.
The EP opens with "Cloud 9", an ode to summer by Thomas Atzmann. Born in the morning at a time when the world is just waking up and creativity flows freely, its joyful tune and catchy breakbeat set the tone for an uplifting kind of melancholia, tugging at your heart strings all the while. "Kabale & Liebe", in which O/Y interprets Robosonic’s original version with his own recipe for organic grunginess, combines euphoric synth lines with organic percussions and haunting vocals, finally releasing the tension that builds gradually within the track’s own story.
Side B begins with Arutani’s slow burner "Back in Time", a track that conveys a flavour of darkness that’s never heavy and always intriguing. The groove is easy, almost playing with a lightness that permeates the whole track, all the while alternating with a bassline that gives a contrasting twang and reminds us of his individual, pervasive sound. And last but not least, Midas 104 delivers a multi-layered, textured production for a perfect close called "Quixotopia". The melody cascades into waves of throbbing synthesisers, complex percussive patterns and static sounds that are characteristic of his style, and gives weight to an otherwise floating track.
credits
released July 8, 2019
Thomas Atzmann, O/Y, Midas 104, Arutani, Robosonic
supported by 35 fans who also own “Circles & Stones - Various Gems I”
A story and a journey from beginning to end, like the other comps in the series. Luscious detail with gentle pacing to be savoured with fine headphones. Angel Figueroa
supported by 30 fans who also own “Circles & Stones - Various Gems I”
Every single song on this stellar compilation is a moody and memorable dose of deephouse, each wearing the intricacies and intelligence of their design lightly. If you have room in your heart for smart and emotionally grown-up electronica, you'd be doing yourself an enormous disservice overlooking this. Ben Harris
Stockholm's Joel Forsberg delves into dreamy atmospherics, pulsing techno, and twinkling synth melodies on his introspective new LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Aug 17, 2021