FRAK are back on track with this dreamy album with deep dark hypnotic slow rhythmic tracks. This is experimental analog and haunting dancemusic at slow BPMs which gives you a glimpse of Swedish smalltown dystopia in all its glory. The A1 track might give the impression that this is a romantic record and the A side in general will make big city people feel the urge to move to small towns again, but on the B-side it just gets darker and weirder (the smalltown kinda reveals its ugly underbelly) and it all ends with a track that would make the taped nipples fake fetishists in techno city shiver. I could say you need a mask to play this out, but lets not take it that far.
johan sturesson
Frak – Berga Magic EP [HYPE074]
The heavy industrial crunch and rubbery synths of FRAK’s trademark sounds come to Hypercolour with the four track ‘Berga Magic’. The EP comes brimming with raw analogue explorations and delightfully incongruous noise.
Frak / Jack Pattern – Jack Frak [CPG010]
Distorted drums and eerie melodies on this split between Frak and Jack Pattern on Cosmic Pint Glass.
Kord – Drum Effort EP [RWT-5]
Next up on Bucharest’s Raw Tools label is Börft co-founder, Johan Sturesson, also known to be part of the Swedish electronic trio, Frak. Always under the radar, he has been operating raw electronics since the late 80’s, developing quite a distinctive sound. As Kord, he has released on several Swedish labels, including his own imprint. The four-track EP consists in music from the private vaults of the producer, that has been kept secret for almost 20 years. Rough and gritty, his analogue approach and stripped down sound define the record. Starting with the rave sounding “Uncle Owl” and then moving to a more darkly atmospheric title track, Kord shows his muscles on the flipside with some more techno infused and bass driven dancefloor cuts.
Frak – Altan Gathering [KM049]
“A long time ago, at a festival far, far away, the members of the legendary Borft trio Frak were just going to bed in their tent when something caught their attention. Now, this was well before Frak’s rise to international fame – in fact, this moment was Swedish music history in the making, because what they heard was someone playing a Frak tune. That someone turned out to be Kontra-Musik’s own Ulf Eriksson and once their paths had crossed, there was no turning back. Frak has since released five highly sought after records on Kontra-Musik and Kontra-Musik White Label. When it was time for a 10-year anniversary gathering in Ulf Eriksson’s private garden, Frak of course turned up together with other Kontra artists like TM404 and Rivet. For those present – we few, we happy few – this turned out to be one of the most magical summer nights in living memory. The Swedish word for porch is altan, and so, to honour this wonderful experience of the whole Kontra-Musik family coming together, Frak decided to name their brand new album Altan Gathering. Another great friend of Kontra, Henrik Jonsson aka Porn Sword Tobacco, made the album cover and we wouldn’t have it any other way. His aesthetic choice of tin foil is on point: Listening to Frak is a lot like biting into a fresh falafel wrap without first removing the aluminium foil holding the delicious mess together; it’s mouth-wateringly warm and moist but at the same time intensely harsh and tough to chew. This might seem like a far fetched analogy but if you’ve ever went partying in Kontra-Musik’s home town Malmo you’ll know the feeling. And if you’ve never been to Malmo, well do stop by someday. It seems, when the stars align, the gatherings here can be the stuff both legends and albums are made of.”
Frak – UH006 [UH006]
Since 1987, Frak have been everyone’s favourite, premier Swedish synthesizer-touching weirdos. Even if most people hadn’t heard of them until 4 years ago. And yet, world of Frak is as long as it is wide. As blue as it is black. As ominous as it is glorious. As dirty as it is hairdryer. Sweet it is as yellow paper As. All of the above is a perfect example of how trying to convey what Frak is in the crass form of words is ultimately fruitless. Here is a double 12” vinyl product from Ultimate Hits featuring eight audio recordings from Frak: three men who have known each other since at least 1987. The sleeve was lovingly hand screen-printed at the studio of House of Traps, and features the colours commonly known as pink and black.
Frak – Tivoli Circus [DDQ01]
Discos del Quebranto kicks off with acid adventures from the Börft legends, reigniting Styrka studios with 4 jams of twisted techno.
KORD and NEBULA – Pine Twigs Trax [BORFT138]
So far the most Punk release in the Borft catalog. This is the meeting between Johan Sturesson (KORD) and Petter Svensson (NEBULA). While Petter has his background as a punkrocker Johan has some years of experience in the Electronic vein this meeting result in a EBM/punk/technoEP dirtier than ever.
Frak – Sudden Haircut EP [DE109]
Frak are Björn Isgren, Johan Sturesson and Jan Svensson, a trio of synthesizer lovers from Sweden. The band was formed when Svensson and Isgren’s older sisters were best friends and they introduced their little brothers to each other. Inspired by Severed Heads, DAF, Human League, Devo, Skinny Puppy, the boys began collecting analog equipment and started Studio Styrka. While the band were still in their early teens they released the first FRAK cassette album in 1987 on their own record label Börft. Almost 30 years later, FRAK continue to release their bizarre brand of Scandinavian techno with their debut release on Dark Entries.
Frak – Primitive Drums [LXRC024]
Frak on Lux Rec… Nordic woods are a dangerously primitive place. Fueled with madness and induced delirium Frak land on planet Lux. Three slow, acid numbers with a barbaric, crude attitude. Relentless drums. Fierce, hypnotic synthesizers that get you lost in your own mind. Suddenly sinister, disastrous images populate your consciousness. And then one last strange, twisted wave track. New places, new adventures.
Frak – Realismo [BORFT125]
Frak must be amongst the most consistent artists in techno. Realismo delivers three winding, twisting analogue techo tracks, kicking off with ten-minutes of mid tempo, acid-flecked, heads-down freakery, the brilliantly icy, but also strangely intense “Nerve Netting”. “Progressive Lattitude” is a little fuzzier and more distorted, but explores similar sonic territory. Things get more hectic on closer “Major Attack”, which is a typically wild interpretation of acid house with additional razor-sharp electronics.
Frak – Digital Tsunami 065
Frak – Upset About Lance EP [TSAR002]
Following on from DJ Stingray’s 2013 Weaponized EP (TSAR001), Swedish vererans Frak Step up for TSAR002, delivering a record of analogue black acid magic.
Frak – Fusion In Park [KM035]
The timing couldn’t be better for Frak to return to Kontra-Musik with this remarkable synth and acid flavoured release. Machines drifting away is an intriguing piece of music; straightforward and multi-layered; futuristic and old school. The first half of the track molds itself around an ebm-like bassline which seems to be moving through a desolate landscape with hard hitting kicks, claps and drums marching on beside it, while the sky above is filled with the wails of brooding synths. The second part introduces a mean 303-bassline as the intensity of the journey heightens. The sound of an echoing metronome sets the tempo at the beginning, soon to be joined by heavy kicks and toms. Several analogue synths then joins in; bending, distorting and moving through the soundscape, almost battling for space. Everything is kept on the right path, though, thanks to an ingenious use of hi-hats – a trademark trick and treat from Frak.
Frak – Saturate You [MID002]
Second release on Midlight, by the notorious FRAK, is in sight. One mighty tune on each side, both nearly 10 minutes. This mysterious group from Sweden has a history rooted in the late 80’s releasing cassettes, later many tripped out releases and lauded livesets. This fresh 12” gives proof, once more, of their intriguingly stripped sound. First limited pressing comes with a limited inlay.
Frak – Ultrasaw [BORFT115]
This 12″ contains some true oddities. Frak is not known for doing remixes but here is one of the few that exists. A nice acid remix of Dave ID – Soul reprise. Also they did a special track to finish off the 2013 tours and here’s the splendid studio version of … phase.
Frak – Börft EP [MANIA024]
Sweden’s (almost) unknown techno veterans Börft Records we have played and seeded wizely through out the years – to be honest, we’ve hid their treasures for years too. Forget all you know about Swedish electronic music, this is Börft crew, the core underground of ”söta bror’s” techno history – here represented by Frak – a full out techno acid punch. The EP is including a beautiful Dj Sotofett remix.
Frak – Prisma [KMWL02]
The Kontra-Musik white label series is back with more dirty techno experiments from the trio Frak. Excellent raw and edgy old school Acid House/Electro/Post Punk informed cut.
Frak – Triffid Gossip [KMWL001]
Kontra-Musik launches a new White Label series. The sound is a bit rougher and punky but still with quality and uniqueness as main focus. First release is from the trio Frak.