schrödinger’s box

Hard Ton – Bigger Is Better Pt​.​1 [SBOX016]

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The genre re-defining chameleons of Hard Ton are back on Schrödinger’s Box with their own brand of style splitting acid house disco. Bigger is Better, a double EP album, has all the depravity and drama you would expect from these disruptors. “Waking Up The House” melts claps, cowbells and vocals over a molten melody. Bold stabbing keys are central to “The Right Thing”, lyrics spiralling skyward as a bitter acid line pulls the track down into the sweaty pit of the club. That TB303 goes into overdrive for the wonderfully demonic hedonism of “Bypass My Love.” Two-stepping jack is given a voice thanks to the breathy words of Josh Caffe as fanfare rains. The understated “Let Yourself Go” is a distant cousin of the bawdy and brutish “I Know A Bitch”, the heavy bass and cutting samples of the finale recalling the basement bruisers of Chicago.

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Hard Ton – Bigger Is Better Pt​.​1 [SBOX016]

Mark Du Mosch – Presence EP [SBOX015]

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Mark Du Mosch is a master of electronics. Gracing a glut of labels in a career spanning more than a decade, he arrives at Schrödinger’s Box with a very special release. Presence is a fiver tracker of enviable quality. Set in the canon of warm techno, Du Mosch focuses on melody and texture. “Studio M Uno” is bright and unassuming, “Koriander” both assured and fragile. The tracks on offer feel like the musical accompaniment to a Summer’s day, a time where cares are in the present and future worries do not exist. The unseen complexities of the everyday are an audio focus, the intertwined interplay of drum patterns in “Mrk I Utilities” and the mechanical dawn of the title piece throb with a human pulse. Always present, but never imposed, is the techno composition that brought this dutchman to the attention of so many. This is plain to hear in the diverse threads that are collected to produce the rich and varied closer, “Too Much.”

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Mark Du Mosch – Presence EP [SBOX015]

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]

Izorgor – Nosferatu [SBOX013]

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IZORGOR - Nosferatu

Izorgor’s sound reflects his burly bouncer name. Drums pound and hi-hats slash in the mean and murderous “HDF-N”, a soundtrack for car crashes and late late club sessions. “Nosferatu” comes from a similarly evil place, percussion is fed through a mincer before a fog of distortion descends to smother samples. If you’re after a respite, you’ll have to wait or feck off home. “HDF-S” wades in. Similar to his sibling in terms of rancorous rhythms, this beast drips with 303 sweat and venom with just a touch of salvation in those soaring notes. Boris Brenicki, of Ontal fame, ends with his own sepulchral take on “Nosferatu.”

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Izorgor – Nosferatu [SBOX013]

Rapha – Visionia [SBOX012]

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RAPHA - Visionia

Schrödinger’s Box found a true audio delinquent when they discovered Rapha. Resident at Alphabet Club in Tel Aviv, this is a musician who creates tracks with a punk attitude and a painted acid smile. The co-founder of Chateau Royal arrives with four blistering numbers for our box. After the pounding percussion and 303 smears of “Ivanka”, this sidewinder synthesist unfurls the brooding darkness that is “Transform.” Lighter tones pierce the gloom in the carefully crafted “Visionia” before The Exaltics lands for some deep and dreamy electro with an incredible remake of “Voyager101.” Rapha’s original of “Voyager101” closes the 12”. Rasping rhythm patterns cut a path for rich dauby analogue bars in this stripped-back, late-night close.

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Rapha – Visionia [SBOX012]

Cute Heels – Beyond The War [SBOX011]

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Five years ago, Cute Heels brought his unique blend to Schrödinger’s Box with Nepotism. The Colombian now returns to the Glasgow label, this time with a mini-LP packed to the rim with stone cold quality. Steady kicks give way to juddering bass and epic strings in the dynamic changeling that is “Beyond The War.” Shadows are cast by the EBM stained “Er Ist Nitch Du” and the smoky “Present Images” under the alias of Syndikat Komando Klub 98. Yet, despite these darker shades, the 12” is filled with brighter tones also. As Victor M Lenis R, “Breath of Freedom” beams with synth-disco laden lines. “Strange Forces” takes a similar path, chords shimmering against aquatic pads that bask in warmth. An italo streak enters with the playful melody and sun- soaked keys of “The Awake (Mexico City Mix), radiant notes countered by strong pulsing percussion. Beyond The War is a record as diverse as its creator. Traversing a spread of styles, Cute Heels has created a 12” that blurs perceived genres whilst maintaining the energy and zeal of the club.

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Cute Heels – Beyond The War [SBOX011]

Perseus Traxx – How the Mighty Fell [SBOX009]

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Perseus Traxx makes his Schrödinger’s Box debut with a 4-track EP of experiments forged in the depths of Northern England. Pristine plateaus and eerie sweeps cover the entire first side, a Perseus Traxx from 2090, shimmering in and out of phase within a murky acidic landscape. Introspective and thoughtful throughout. Timothy J Fairplay finishes off the final quarter with a summer-garden Techno banger.

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Perseus Traxx – How the Mighty Fell [SBOX009]

Andreas Gehm / Elec Pt. 1 – Cosmic Interrail Vol. 2 [SBOX006]

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“It’s with a pride filled, yet heavy, heart that Schrödinger’s Box bid a welcoming return to the uncrowned King of Acid, Andreas Gehm. After Cosmic Interrail come four tracks of acid scorn, corrosive jack and twisted spite. Under his own name, and the time honoured mantle of Elec Pt 1, Cologne’s 303 contortionist serves three works dripping in bitter bars and skewered by claps and snares. “Captain Future” sits outside of the quartet, a carnival outake of whirling lights and crashing cymbals. Pure quality from the Acid King.”

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Andreas Gehm / Elec Pt. 1 – Cosmic Interrail Vol. 2 [SBOX006]

Antoni Maiovvi – Will To Powder EP [SBOX004]

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Anton Maiovvi with a new release on Schrödinger’s Box . This Bristol born soundtrack virtuoso, italo disco savant and all round electronic guru has travelled labels far and wide with his smorgasbord sound. And that variety is plain to hear on “Will to Powder”. From the epic opener of ”Clocks”, Maiovvi leads you through his labyrinthine hall of shapes and sounds. Expect warming melodies, cold beats, shimmering synthwork, brazen experimentation, a decent dollop of slasher scores and a pinch new wave romance in this.

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Antoni Maiovvi – Will To Powder EP [SBOX004]

Cute Heels – Nepotism [SBOX002]

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Cute Heels screamed onto the scene with his debut album on Dark Entries. The Colombian’s blend of EBM and minimal synth with driving rhythms electrified interest with Juan Atkins describing him as “the new blood and spirit for the next step in techno music.” Tough words to live up to, but this talented artist has done Atkins proud with his excellent five tracker, Nepotism EP. Measured and thoughtful the EP is packed with eclipsed wave and bold beats. Future classics shine from the drop. “Nepotism Structure”, with its blackened chords and stark chords, is brimming with a primal energy. “Madame Counsellor” ups the tempo, adding some extra squalor with wretched 303 writhe. Cute Heels refuses to sit in one genre, electro coming to a head in the shimmering mechanics of “Cabaret Literal.” “The Pulse (Sex Drive)” closes in a seedy blur of neon lights and showing synthlines.

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Cute Heels – Nepotism [SBOX002]

Andreas Gehm – Cosmic Interrail Vol.1 [SBOX001]

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Who better to inaugurate your label than Andreas Gehm? Simple, no-one. Glasgow’s Schrodinger’s Cat is sinking claws and teeth into vinyl with five tracks of blistering TB303 goodness from the Cologne man. Mr Gehm is in fine form as he serves up a quintet of very different cuts. From the warbling wonderment of “Blind Eyes” to squawking darkness of “Jak the Floor”, this EP shows how talented this machine musician is. “Can You Hear Me Girl” is jilted lover, stalker house; beady eyes peering into misted windows material. The Elec Pt 1 hood is donned for the dirtiest track of the 12″. Grimy claps are further polluted by bending acid lines in a work overflowing with violence. Out of the leftfield comes the finale. “Systems Go” throbs with rumbling rhythms, a bleeped melody keeping time as drum machines overheat and circuitry melts.

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Andreas Gehm – Cosmic Interrail Vol.1 [SBOX001]