Various Artists - AniaraWL05

Single

19 Aug

Just two names can't effectively encapsulate the stripped-down sounds of Swedish minimal. Still, Skudge and Dorisburg are two excellent ambassadors of the sound. More importantly, these two titans have a wealth of experience traversing the industry for several years, ingesting the best the scene has to offer before ultimately offering up cerebral takes on said genre. When it comes to Swedish minimalism, much like their design, the music, while stylised, can be a lot icier than its European cousins. Nordic minimalism relies much more on muted drums and funk-style bass that add layers to the groove, aligning more closely with early Techno rather than House. The latest single on Gothenburg's very own Aniara Recordings showcases both artists applying their services to the relatively new white label series. The AniaraWL Series is a way to break free from convention and allow other influences to inspire artists.

Skugde kicks off the single with a no-nonsense groover that feels a lot more adrenaline-fueled than previous works. Fans expect a pretty stripped-back sound from this pillar of dubby minimal; however, coming out of the gate, 'Break1' sounds like a Head-High release. While Skugde's work can often pick up the tempo, it's usually quite restrained, raining in percussion to capture a darker sound. This time around, 'Break1' gets the blood pumping with shuffles in the background before sparkling hats begin to sizzle over the top of familiar Skudge stabs. This feels more warehouse than we've heard from Elias Landberg in a while.

On the flip side, Dorisburg utilises much more intricate sound design on 'Untitled'. What's immediately apparent is the myriad of bases that interlock, whether it be image growls or rhythmic donk base, for lack of a better term. Strange and ghostly howls, wind and creepy motifs infest the track, adding a little more ear candy over the methodical stepper. Each track is a cacophony of rhythmic give and take as each passing bar throws something in there, whether it be the triplet on the hi hat or an extra roll on the snare. One of the most enjoyable parts of a Dorisburg track is that it keeps you guessing, and this is no different.

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