Kangding Ray - Polar
At this point, Kangding Ray's arcane sorcery has been perplexing listeners for almost two decades, and the release of Polar (2024) proves that the old dog is as potent as ever. With the release of Polar on the Spazio Disponibile label, KR joins a host of some of Deep Techno's most prominent voices. As always, Kangding Ray delivers a record full of Cosmic mysticism, with the track 'Four Intertwining Spirals' being a perfect example. Geometric arpeggios twist unbound while the constant pulse of a Goan trance bass adds to the mind-melding aesthetic that undercuts the whole track. Kangding Ray's mastery of sound is evident in 'Asymmetric Lifeform', which shows his ability to stretch the boundaries of time and space. His clever use of space between notes, combined with prolonged pads and cascading effects, creates a musical experience that aims, and succeeds, to emulate the movement of interstellar phenomena. The title track, Polar, fits the bill for something deep, rhythmic, and pumping. Its nods to dub techno combine well with its straightforward bounce. KR sprinkles over some of that cosmic space dust for good measure, meaning this can be both a head-down affair and an elating peacetime pacemaker. Finally, bookending an interstellar collection is a cerebral, almost ambient track. This intertwining between the experimental and techno has given KR such a distinct sound. 'Solid State Rain' is further experimental, relying on slow synthetic evolution and tough 808 heartbeats. For me, it was only a matter of time before Kangding Ray would be making a splash on Spazio Disponibile and what an entrance.
Tracklist:
Four Intertwining Spirals
Asymmetric Lifeform
Polar
Solid State Rain
Label: Spazio Disponibile (2024)
Kangding Ray - Polar EP