It's atypical to associate techno tracks with finesse moods that move a listening audience into emotive capacities, so it's something special when you do encounter it. We get a little of that on Ambivalent's first Valence issue. Much anticipated by (real name) Kevin McHugh's followers after whispers of his new imprint surfaced last year, the American producer finally unveils the beginning of a new circuit for his more candid techno cuts. Where Delft was an outlet for his LA-4A hardware project delving into electro and acid-based influences, Valence appropriates McHugh's straightforward techno works while also exploring deeper chords within electronic music.
Valence 001 has a balance of clobbering and benevolent impressions that make it easier to keep the record on rotation. As each track exhibits its respective narrative, the titles are represented by conjunction (joining) words that bring togetherness in language/ writing. "And" can be characterized as the late night dancefloor boomer with a rumbling nature that feels like an alarm has gone off. The b-side, however, deflates the mood with "Or" and "Not Yet". The subtlety of "Or" paints a pensive air complementing fragility and melancholy found in "Not Yet". As rawness overtakes the scene, Ambivalent outdoes himself with "Not Yet", turning the track into a melodious song that strongly stands on its own.
Listen to "Not Yet" in advance streaming exclusively on EARMILK and make sure you grab your copy of Valence 001 available February 23rd on both 12-inch and digital formats (digital includes bonus track "But").
Ambivalent
Valence 001
- Valence
- FEB-23-2015
