Arthur Hnatek - Chando / Illusion
Arthur Hnatek's rise to prominence is multifaceted. On the one hand, look to his content creation, which involves the complex world of modular synthesisers against live drums. The other area you may know Arthur Hnatek from is his extensive discography, as the Swiss artist has been releasing music since early 2020. Whichever way you look at it, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Hnatek is all about complex rhythms and experimental sounds. What we found in his latest release, Chando / Illusion (2024), is far more emotive. Both tracks get stripped back, focusing more on arpeggiated chords and the subtlety in which effects elicit a response.
Hnatek's Use of rhythm obviously comes into play as a drummer. Still, how he uses dynamics rather than complex patterns stands out. Take, for example, the gentle shuffles on the track 'Illusion' that stick out from the off. It is only slight, but Hnatek gets it perfect. The grooves build on top of each other. Like grasshoppers jumping in a field, they want to notice one more and more and start making themselves known. The main melodic lines are shyer, filtering away underneath the rest of the percussion at times, making room for shimmering sweeps That have a blinding freshness of the son barrelling across the lake.
The title track, 'Chando', is a testament to Hnatek's ability to blend minimalism with rich melodies. It's a bright, dynamic composition showcasing Hnatek's skills beyond percussion. The glossy yet bittersweet melody line, constantly teased and stretched by Hnatek, creates an impactful track. Hnatek balances minimalism and melodic richness throughout both tracks, avoiding the risk of being less exploratory. The subtle manipulation of note lengths and delay levels creates an ever-evolving beauty.
Chando / Illusion is a lovely demonstration of how Arthur Hnatek uses subtlety in electronic music and how to do it right and take it to the next level. Hnatek's ability to channel that ear of the dynamic brings breathtaking mini crescendos throughout both tracks with just a subtle use of FX. Chando positions itself as a release for returning to nature through its constantly shifting melodies and rhythms, all the way to the other side of the spectrum, being absolute club killers.
Tracklist:
Chando
Illusion
Label: Arthur Hnatek (2024)
Arthur Hnatek - Chando