Versus by Tobias. Doltz.
Folding the ambient techno tradition into neatly arranged packets of rhythm and space, Delsin proudly presents a striking new collaboration from Tobias. and Doltz. A project developed from a chance encounter, Versus combines classic synth and drum machine configurations with needlepoint sound design to create a quintessential electronica listening experience.
Tobias. is the lead alias from Tobias Freund, the celebrated German techno pioneer who has been actively exploring new territories in electronic music production since the early 1980s. As Doltz, Shun Watanabe has quickly developed his own impressive artistic stamp in the field of leftfield techno and ambient since debuting in 2020. After seeing Doltz perform a live set at Eden Festival 2024 in Japan, Freund instantly invited him to collaborate. After the success of the first collaboration, they went on to develop five of the tracks on Versus together, while Jiawen Wang performed additional vocals on 'We Are Not Alone'.
Versus is an album that balances variety and consistency across its finely sequenced run time, maintaining a focus on pointillist, exploratory rhythm from crisp drum machines and twitchy digitalia alike, all backed up by richly rendered atmospherics from gaseous pads to icy drones. It's a warm and inviting sound world, but also fearlessly futuristic, speaking to both Freund's decades of refinement and the startling clarity of Doltz's vision.
Tracklist
| 1. | Fukaeri | 6:25 |
| 2. | Phoon | 6:04 |
| 3. | The Increasing Past | 5:40 |
| 4. | Tela | 3:38 |
| 5. | Gyeon | 4:49 |
| 6. | We Are Not Alone | 4:39 |
| 7. | Konstrukt | 4:44 |
| 8. | Areal 14 | 7:41 |
Credits
All tracks written and produced by Tobias Freund
additional instrumentation and production by Doltz
Voices on b2 by Jiawen Wang.
Mixed and mastered at Non Standard Studios, Berlin 2024
Vinyl cut by Mike Grinser at Manmade Mastering
Cover image by Valentina Berthelon
Placement and layout by Erris Huigens & Tijl Schneider
