balazs semsei

Imre Kiss & Norwell – Archives [CRISIS008]

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Crisis Records returns after a five-year hiatus with Archives EP, a new release from Imre Kiss and Norwell. Recorded between 2015 and 2020, the tracks mark the duo’s first collaboration since their acclaimed Ad Astra EP seven years ago. Across the EP, Norwell’s sparkling arpeggios sit comfortably alongside Imre’s atmospheric pads. The sharp, metallic drum programming anchors the tracks with cold, rhythmic precision, while rich basslines, occasional squelching acid, and eerie vocal samples create a captivating, hypnotic atmosphere. There is a strong sense of nostalgia throughout, with hints of Kraftwerk and Detroit’s Drexciya woven into the sound, yet the pair still manages to craft something that feels distinctly their own.

Imre Kiss & Norwell – Archives [CRISIS008]

Dmitry Distant & Norwell / Cute Heels – Parallels EP [SBOX014]

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DMITRY DISTANT/NORWELL/CUTE HEELS - Parallels

Schrödinger’s Box have collected three juggernauts of wave tainted electronics for the latest. Dmitry Distant teams up with Norwell for a partnership of serious intent. The pair deliver a trio of blackened tracks, opening with the ghoulish caverns of “Transient State” before the long shadows, acid stains and painful echoes of “Visionary.” The duo venture into brighter territory with the computer funk of “On A Verge of Veil”, crisp beats and bubbling melodies changing the tone. Following Beyond the War, Cute Heels returns to occupy the flip. The Colombian is immediately on it with the swirling mirrors of “Kuriyaki Horizons,” a kick drum offering solid footing in this entrancing piece. An aloof, yet alluring, disco hook takes hold for “Litua”, a low thump keeping time. The finale arrives with the clipped industrial gait of “Determinated In Order.” Marching to a military beat, this work is industrial inspired with Cute Heels keeping a close ear to the pressure release gauge.

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Dmitry Distant & Norwell / Cute Heels – Parallels EP [SBOX014]

Norwell – In Between EP [FAN012]

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Known for his grainy, analogue dance floor hits, Hungarian artist Norwell has returned with a powerful and transcendent 4-track EP, releasing through Fanzine Records. Inbetween EP is a drum-heavy, intricate series of grooves and soundscapes that draw the listener in from the beginning. While remaining faithful to the tendencies of techno, this record brings something of its own to the table in the form of acidic basslines and retro Kosmiche synth parts, resulting in a stunning array of textures. As Norwell’s first release through the Fanzine Label, this EP is dark, it is foreboding, and with the unexpected turns the rhythm takes, it doesn’t care about your feelings. If you’re ready to be punched in the face by this sci-fi horror listening experience, watch for the release of this EP, Fanzine latest addition to their roster of tasty electronic jams.

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Norwell – In Between EP [FAN012]

Norwell – Fúzió EP [MTRON014]

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Norwell returns to Mechatronica with a haunting set of electro driven sounds, fusing acid-soaked electro for the floor, atmospheric breaks and ethereal jungle styles into a versatile EP, further intensified by Solid Blake’s relentless hi-octane remix on the flip.

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Norwell – Fúzió EP [MTRON014]

Imre Kiss & Norwell – Ad Astra [CRISIS001]

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Hungarian producer Imre Kiss inaugurates his new Crisis imprint. The tracks presented here on the Ad Astra EP are in collaboration with homeboy Norwell who has a mutual sonic interest: sci-fi narratives and analogue dedication – combined to reinterpret and evolve the blueprint of electro that it draws influence from. There are expressions in brooding, gothic/noir-ish electro like the title track and “Density Waves”, while “Motor City Dreams” or “Alpha Hertz” go for typically bass heavy and dystopian themes from a 313 state of mind.

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Imre Kiss & Norwell – Ad Astra [CRISIS001]

Norwell – Geometric Vision EP [NF19]

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Real name Balázs Semsei, Norwell has turned out a steady stream of releases, always coming on strong with a personal artistic vision plus a sense of drama. Across four craftily cuts on Umwelt’s label, he revisits his own dystopian universe made of sonic frequencies fused into rich atmosphere with a strong array of emotions. From the haunting opener Geometric Vision’ to the explosive final Conversation Patterns’, Nor-well signs one of his best release to date. Fascinating synth melodies supported by raw drums and insane electro textures compose this must have 12” and an essential addition to the New Flesh catalog. Heavy electro darkness for serious heads, this is a soulful EP full of depth, impossible to ignore!

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Norwell – Geometric Vision EP [NF19]

Norwell – Death Of A Star Remixes [PNKMN014.5]

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Norwell’s Death Of A Star E.P, released earlier this summer, mixed his usual kosmiche-inspired sounds with the distorted grittiness of ’80s industrial music. It was impressive, and now Pinkman has decided to offer up two remixes apiece of EP highlights “Nordic Nights” and “Death of A Star”. The former track is given the acid-flecked, 8-bit techno treatment by Antenna, before S Olbricht turns it into an unsettling, Motor City-influenced roller. Delta Funkitonen channels the spirit of EBM pioneers Nitzer Ebb on his throbbing interpretation of “Death Of A Star” – all psychedelic synthesizer arpeggios and restless kick drums – before DJ Overdose steals the show with an inspired electro remake of the same track.

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Norwell – Death Of A Star Remixes [PNKMN014.5]

Norwell – Death Of A Star [PNKMN014]

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Pinkman cast their net eastwards. The latest finding, Hungary’s Norwell, offers up four genre splicing cuts. Rhythms are from the golden age of electro, cold and prototypical. Around these sharp percussion patterns swirl a wealth of melting synthlines. Pads, deep basslines and a ghosting presence characterise the title track, that same spectral mood weaves its way through the sweetened strings and distorted judders of “Dissonant Division.” The frigid bars of “Nordic Nights” introduces the flip, arctic winds pierced by snapping snares. Emotional depth ebbs and flows as the rich and textured “Wasted Echoes” brings down the curtain on Norwell’s Pinkman debut.

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Norwell – Death Of A Star [PNKMN014]