Somne - Millennium

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  • Somne is the solo project of Federico Maccherone, who was one half of Life And Death-affiliated duo Clockwork. On his solo debut, he takes his group's graceful melodies and cloaks them in black, offering a headier, floor-focused version of their soft analogue techno that nicely lines up with NonPlus's aesthetic. "Millennium" sounds like it's trying to keep its swirling melody at bay, giving the otherwise uplifting chord progression an ominous tinge. An alternate mix lets those synths fly a little further, but the methodical march of the percussion makes it all the more world-weary. "Tank" has a similar feel, keeping big-room elements in careful suspension and only letting the kick drums drop every once in a while—it's a bit like a sputtering engine. Those analogue drums, often sharp and crunchy, scuff the polish right off these tunes, which are lush yet rarely glossy. The gritty contrast is most evident on "Nearer," where a billowing arpeggio duels with boxy snares, but it's also in "Treppendorf," whose surging synths are buried under filters until they sound like the distant hum of plumbing. Driving the dance floor with tension rather than release, Milennium shows that Maccherone's melodic dexterity works wonders in all kinds of settings.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Millennium B1 Treppendorf C1 Tank D1 Nearer Digital: Millennium (Alternate Mix)
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