- Skudge, once a duo but now the solo project of Elias Landberg, is one of modern dance music's key minimalists, nailing loop techno on a series of self-released EPs that date back to 2010. There's a subtle flair to his best tracks, especially those on Circles / Tundra, the latest EP on his label. Every element is considered and impactful, which results in two effective tunes that don't sacrifice character for functionality.
Where some Skudge tunes are muddled by a thick atmosphere, "Circles" is among the project's leanest tunes. It sounds like something you'd hear in a Scenario-era Ben Klock or Marcel Dettmann set, with hints of dub techno synths, a loud clap and, most importantly, a rolling groove bolstered by a killer bassline. It's a guaranteed bomb, capped off with a hi-hat that always seems to land at the right time. The melancholic "Tundra" is the EP's deeper option, but it also manages to inject ample character into a reduced framework. Whichever side you reach for, Circles / Tundra is a sure-shot that recalls the streamlined precision of Skudge's breakout early tracks.
TracklistA Circles
B Tundra