Rex The Dog – Teufelsberg

Topping off an incredible run that included last year’s releases SICKO (KOMPAKT 322) and YOU ARE A BLADE (KOMPAKT 343), UK producer and long-time Kompakt ally REX THE DOG presents two brand new jams on TEUFELSBERG – this latest offering connects the dots between the powerful, melody-driven techno of Rex’s earlier works and his current set-up that favors muscular, raw tracks with a distinctive analog bite. The latter is no accident, as Rex has become increasingly involved in DIY synth design, building his own modular hardware for studio and live use. Title cut TEUFELSBERG starts off lean and mean, quickly establishing momentum with propulsive beats and a simple, but seriously effective bass line – the track’s main protagonist, however, is a sweeping melody blowing up for the track’s entire run time, an utterly scenic synth job that doesn’t even flinch from a ground zero break. Meanwhile, the flip side shells out a proper rave whacking with industrial-infused banger SHORTWAVE – another relentlessl piece of prime time techno that is as monolithic as it is playful.