Shed - Applications
It's not every day that one of the most influential German labels of the last decade teamed up with arguably the most influential producer that techno has ever seen. Two of Germany's most celebrated figures unite, bridging the gap between Munich and Berlin. These anchor brothers have been at the forefront of the creative and countercultural underground music movements with the label Ilian Tape. On the other hand, Shed has been on the cutting edge of the musical zeitgeist for so long now that it's hard to summarise his influence.
I initially thought the application EP captured the Ilian Tape ethos to a tee. It sounds retro-futurist, combining soulful analogue techniques with forward-thinking creativity, but that's also exactly how I would describe Shed's output, and that's when It hit me. There isn't any hiding the influences that shaped the formation of Ilian Tape once you've finally heard it (it embarrassingly took me quite a while). The no-nonsense gritty drum programming combined with silky analogue techno synthesis is all over Shed's discography. Applications almost plays like an archive of influences leading up to the founding of Ilian Tape. Shed rough and ready mixes of ultra-kinetic and analogue-feeling percussion laced with warm, science-fiction-coded dub can be heard throughout the Ilian discography.
As I said, Sheds futurist machine Funk Blitz's in with the first track, 'EMCZ'. The almost clunky production style keeps momentum at an all-time high. Shed constructs this track like a drag race, ever-accelerating and full of guttural low-end. The focus is on jolting the dance forward with wonky syncopation that grooves it like an industrial boom-bap cut. The metallic synthesise zaps like bent aluminium sheets.
In contrast, 'TLSQ' keeps things simple with an organic 4x4 groove layered with stunning velvety sonics. It's a masterclass movement. The constantly transforming lead synth keeps guessing with twists and turns, sometimes sounding like a locked groove before being contorted by filters that totally change auditory properties. Shed shows his range on the final track. It sounds like 1000 sledgehammers hitting bedrock. 'UFO2' throws caution to the wind. Being the most brutal track on the record, it's clear there was one thought in mind. The brilliant part of this track is that it's full of Big room readiness while maintaining its atmosphere and depth. Pounding percussion and wailing foghorns stand out immediately. Still, subtle delays lit the background, adding much more to dive into.
Sheds application is one of those magical records that, once you listen to it, will make you hear a lot of things differently. Stenny, Andrea and the Zenker Brothers all have a little Shed in them, and it comes through in the music so clearly now. The label's gone full circle, but what's next? More collaboration, I hope. As for applications, it will go down as THAT records the knitted everything together for me.
Tracklist:
EMCZ
TLSQ
UFO2
Label: Ilian Tape (2024)
Shed - Applications
