Boston 168 - Your Acid Mate 001
Boston 168's latest record leaves the duo's pure acidic tech tones behind in favour of pastures new. The duo, famed for their adventures into the deep bogs of squench, always make a lasting impression with every release. Sometimes delving into the glitzy and unsettling realms of deep space, and other times they forage into more industrial-flavoured waters. it was with aprehesion that I turned on the latest from the duo to be met with pure dancefloor acid, venturing further into the silly fun of rave. as stated, the duo have made quite a substantial mark in the techno scene with the ultra-tight productions revolving around the mastery of the 303, a classic hardware synth that shaped acid house techno and the rave scene so it shouldn't be too much of a jump for them to go from the preferred techno to an adjacent genre, but the way they've done it warrants discussion.
While it retains the rave influences of the early 90s acid boom, the duo takes things in a more contemporary direction with an atmosphere of howling winds and creaking trees that evoke and reflect the current state of free parties. Gone are the days of warehouse raves in industrial estates, replaced by outdoor venues featuring DIY sound rigs that align with the anti-capitalist freedom movement that has taken over. The similarities go deeper than that, as the tracks feature shades of past Goan trance and attempt to modernise the sound for curious audiences.
Repetitive beats, lashing of atmosphere created through delays and reverb set to maximum, leave 'Circuit 8' feeling a lot more Boston 168 than the rest. Only this time, as an addition to the freedom within the sound design. Synthesisers are filtered and distorted, as if that titular substance is taking over. Overall, Boston 168 doesn't rest on these vocals for long. The record is a successful departure from the duo's previous catalogue. tracks are stylistically shaped by what acid is in modern-day music. They ditch the high-energy structures for an organic, kaleidoscopic approach. Rhythms change, and your perceptions of the duo are distorted. This goes back to the hippie mentality of surrounding yourself in nature but using psychoactives to further your connection, tracks flow like water between breakdowns and drum patterns.
What's frustrating about this record is the rejection of the classic fun side of acid in favour of a Boston 168-informed frolic into fun. Boston 168 never fully leans into the observatory of early rave, being much more techno-adjacent. That being said, Boston 168 always pulls it around towards the midpoint. Take, for example, 'Jungle Heart', which is the worst offender in this case, as the first half of the record feels entrenched in techno sensibilities of 4-to-the-floor heavy atmospheres and muted colour pallets before the big explosion of neon paint is thrust into the foreground. There's an eruption of emotion. Unrequited feelings bubble to the surface, and there's an overwhelming euphoric feeling that comes out of nowhere, almost like fireflies emerging from a lake or a soft crackle of a campfire. But why isn't this done sooner, and why doesn't this side of their production take centre stage more often?
The criticism is small in the grand scheme as they open up their collective consciousness 'Magnetica' and 'Jack Reborn' with fluctuating grooves and unstable melodies flooding the audio spectrum. In many ways, this record feels like a bridge to other genres and moods while standing on its own as a peak-time trip. The album is an uncharacteristic pivot from the duo's usual moody pH, and its departure from that style is a breath of fresh air. Not only do they stick to their guns stylistically with thunderous kick rumbles, but they also inject a playful energy reminiscent of the old-skool raves that inspired the switch. The self-serious Boston 168 style is pulled kicking and screaming into the acid house play pen, before they sneak behind the garage for cigarettes. The cheeky maturity places the record in a great sweet spot, allowing it to express any set.
Label: Your Acid Mate (2026)
Boston 168 - Your Acid Mate 001
