- Dan Vicente has had a solid year of touring and releases, and this latest Acronym record is his most well-rounded of 2016. After Guadalquivir offered a variety of fine DJ fare and Entagled In Vines couched itself in decidedly functional techno (not to mention a couple remixes and compilation appearances), The Void Beneath finds the Stockholm-based producer spreading his interests in expressive melody, potent rhythms and rich atmospheres across four detailed tracks.
In its selection of moods and modes, The Void Beneath is similar to what Vicente did on Guadalquivir—the difference is in their scope. Where "Endless Horizon" uplifts and "Walk Below The Waters" provokes, "Wandering Aimlessly" penetrates and "Final Descent" envelops. There's nothing so forceful as "Purity," or so trippy as "Constant Flow," here, which aligns the record more with constructing environments than inciting dancers. "Walk Below The Waters" gradually tightens its rhythm and noxious FX, but it's all build with no release.
There is, however, "Endless Horizon," the EP's crown jewel, if only because it puts all of Acronym's best qualities in one place. A striking, evocative bassline swells slowly through a soft-glowing synthscape, propelled by little more than a 95-BPM beat that stops and stutters. It seems to go nowhere in its captivating nine minutes, only growing in mass as the low-end growls louder and harmonic notes materialize. The final minute is beatless and loaded with layers of gorgeous synth, closing "Endless Horizon" with a majestic sigh.
TracklistA1 Final Descent
A2 Endless Horizon
B1 Walk Below The Waters
B2 Wandering Aimlessly