Glaskin - Blue Light
There must be something in the water over in Munich, Germany. So many prestigious talents hail from the Bavarian capital, and its influence and reach have spread beyond German borders into every facet of techno. The distinct Munich sound incorporates heavy kinetic rhythms and an emphasis on driving basslines. The newest release, Blue Light (2025), from the brothers Glaskin exemplifies this tried-and-tested floor-focused ethos.
From the electrostatic dubbs of the brothers' title track to the club pulsating of 'Prophat Tool Board', CROWD009 operates within the sweet spot between lose-yourself and lean-in music. The EP is a relentless journey that blends true dance-floor energy with surprising precision. The dub techno stylings of Glaskin lend themselves perfectly to a warehouse or basement, where the compounding effects of the drum and rolling bass make it impossible to stand still. Fluttering dub chords seep into every crevice and crack in the brickwork as the foundation itself struggles to stay upright. The vast atmospherics of Glaskin really come into their own on the track 'Captcha'. Everything feels submerged in still water, crystal clear but filtered, creating an opaqueness that moves the body. Slicing hats and shakers add a justified top end that avoids being too harsh, sounding more like an old jungle break. The constant oscillation of effects on the track 'Tape' gives a sense of breathing, making it feel alive. The track is designed to complement dance floors, as the LFOs homogenise the crowd's swaying.
The top and tail of the record demonstrate the duo's peak-time proficiency through bright dub stabs that impart a very Munich nochelont confidence. While the dynamics don't cut as deep as some of the more slow-burning efforts on the record, there's an undeniable amount of get-up-and-go delivered with both 'Blue Light' and 'Prophat Tool Board'. The tracks swirl between hook-like call-and-response-laden bops on the former. An impressively groovy swing that carries the track the full 5 minutes and allows Glaskin to put a lot more effort into the galloping base. Chuck in a few choice vocal samples, and 'Blue Light' takes on a rather underground feel, blending ghetto house and Berghien-esque minimalism. On the flip side, 'Prophat Tool Board' leans into these Funkier ghetto aspects with classic Detroit-inspired loops that give that unrelenting March forward, the US is famed for. The Detroit comparisons don't end there: syncopated claps, bright ride cymbals, and a bit of choice filtering that make the truck more like a roller coaster.
Label: CROWD (2025)
Glaskin - Blue Light
