Lennart Wiehe - Kontaktsport
Kontaktsport is the new EP by Hannover's Lennart Wiehe, released on the form Kuratorium label in the spring of 2023. Lennart Wiehe showcases their avant-punk style of production, combining heavy industrial influences, pommelling electric percussion, and haunting vocals that creep into the soul.
A particular aspect of Lennart Wiehe's production that I love is the industrial wash over all the elements in the track—a real tubular EP. Everything is being pushed so hard through tube amps that distort, giving such a lovely analogue presence and character. Also, the subtle reverb on the synths makes it feel like we're in a warehouse or massive factory floor, every part moving instinctively, simultaneously, and automatically. The use of voice is also particularly interesting as it is so muddied in the mix. The two solo tracks by the Hanover-born producer indicate an artist who understands their sound. The punchy kicks complement the incredibly analogue synth sounds to listen to radiate from the bottom of the basement stairs.
‘TCS!’ has more of a rolling super saw style deep synth place throughout the track. It uses its kick drums instead of a skippy style rhythm that, when combined with the sharp snare it's a sort of bouncy feel. 'TCS!' uses vocals to talk about "satisfaction", that illicit feeling of something bigger, like the character Morpheus giving the speech to Neo asking if she wants to go down the rabbit hole. The vocal has the same gravitas, and modulation filtering and panning really sell it. There's an analogue electrical world that the track is set in.
Lennart Wiehe’s style evolves on ‘Rausch’, as rhythmic elements are panned left and right and brought quite far to the front of the mix to accent the pulsating bassline. ‘Rausch’ is much more by the book techno, capitalising on that chugging bassline and ever-present kickdrum. This is where Lennart Wiehe comes into their own, using that panning technique to create rhythmic dynamism, playing with on-beat and off-beat notes, consisting of breaths and heavily phased Toms. It is clear from the tracks that the intent is to put you right in the darkest basements of Berlin or the abandoned shipyards of the Netherlands.
‘Suborb’, the track featuring Vril, takes what I feel are the best aspects of each artist and truly demonstrates their excellent collaboration. Instead of the industrial style kicks we did have, we now have rules trademark pop. The vocals from Lennart Wiehe, which I praised so highly earlier, return, this time taking on more of a rhythmic slash sound design roll. The super saws used by Weihe return but with guidance from Vril. They now take on a glacial stillness sweeping across the track and adding melodic depth. Vril also imparts these dub techno flourishes that add a beautiful depth to the track that, along with the clap straight out of Vril's bag of tricks, allow the artist to collaborate to create an excellent collaboration.
Closing out the Kontaktsport, we have Zvrra's remix of ‘Neue Nacht’. Starting with straight forward four by four with an incredibly brutalist tail to each kick, Zvrra switches things into a two-step rhythm. It’s impressive how each artist can highlight elements of their sound within this very cohesive EP. From start to finish, each artist is distinct, whether it be the industrial punk of Lennart Wiehe, the melodic beauty of Vril or the heavy grooving of Zvrra.
Tracklist:
TCS!
Lennart Wiehe & Vril – Suborb
Rausch
Neue Nacht (Zvrra Remix)
Label: Kuratorium (2023)
Lennart Wiehe - Kontaktsport
