Thin Air by A Made Up Sound

Ever evolving Dutchman A Made Up Sound is back with a new EP on Delsin a whole six years after his last. In the meantime the man born Dave Huismans has further established himself as a singular voice in contemporary techno via countless adventurous djsets and releases, the latter among others on his own self-titled label. Here he proves once more why he is so vital across four cuts of heavyweight technosoul.

Opening track Thin Air pairs a fast paced 4/4 beat with stormy layered pads, all coalescing into an affectional yet powerful techno groove. Subtle fx and arrangement changes make for proper dynamics as the groove drifts in and out of focus. Second track I Repeat starts off with a trademark A Made Up Sound broken machine stutter, before opening up with brain soothing ambient pads. Prickly yet smooth, industrial yet sun kissed, it will provide a standout moment on any floor.

On the B-side, All Out returns to a more steady, warehouse reminiscent groove in typical AMUS fashion, with its swung drums, sampled chordlines and flanged percussion gradually working their way to an emotive peak. Lastly, the synth driven Waybackmachine takes off as a pinging, elastic conception, traveling past many different focus points along the way before returning to its exuberant main theme. Hard to categorize but easy to love, this is A Made Up Sound at his best.

Ask any close follower of contemporary electronic music about its most consistently innovative artists and it's likely the name of Dutchman Dave Huismans will pop up. For the best part of a decade he's managed to keep pulling off that rare and elusive thing: breaking new ground with nearly every new release, while maintaining a sound signature unmistakeably his own.