- As he told RA last year, Recondite's work is inspired by an unlikely dichotomy: his life as a Berlin-based producer is offset by his love of the countryside, which is reflected in his tough yet emotionally fragile brand of techno. His latest offering, the subtly Clockwork Orange-themed Nadsat EP, sees the Bavarian further solidify his ties to Berlin's Dystopian label.
Across four hypnotic cuts, the Nadsat EP continues to explore the melodic territory of his second album, Hinterland, while also hinting at a more sinister world beyond. "Dim" begins on a cautionary note, with sparkly synths faintly flickering across a sparse two-kick beat. "Milk Plus," with its heaving bassline and heavily delayed melody, could have been lifted from Hinterland, though it's still shadowy enough to have you looking over your shoulder. "Nadsat" is even darker, with crashing claps and a pacey tempo showing a more direct side to Recondite's repertoire. But at its heart remains that emotive shimmer. The same can be said of "DeLarge," which sees us out in a pummelling yet uplifting whirl of ghostly pads and echoed knocks. It's this ability to connect the dots between a discordant pair—the eerie and the emotional—that makes Recondite's music so mystifying.
TracklistA1 Dim
A2 Milk Plus
B1 Nadsat
B2 DeLarge