- Forward Strategy Group's not the latest think tank set up to sort out the world recession, but a shadowy techno act with an ear for the eerie and the obtuse. While last year's first release on the FSG label by Smear drew on the Sahko/Sleeparchive bleep techno canon, Generics is more in keeping with the current tendency towards dense, organic rhythms.
Indeed, the seemingly impenetrable but DJ-friendly housey loops on the untitled A-side recall a straighter take on Kalon's "Born Against" release or Function's tracky "edit" of Sandwell District's recent 12-inch. However, the arrangement is not 100% watertight and what sounds like a siren riff gradually infiltrates the soupy, panning arrangement and, together with chain mail percussion, brings the track to its climax.
The B-side is reminiscent of Peter Van Hoesen's bass-heavy sound, its viscous low end emitting menacing signals as it morphs and ebbs. It doesn't seem like FSG are idly posturing though; while the panning, filtering breakdown offers some respite, they let loose the attack dogs with even denser and more layered waves of bass. It won't be able to solve global problems, but Generics could easily be the soundtrack to the new world disorder.
Tracklist A. Untitled
B. Untitled