Lilac EP
By: Subsignal
Label: Signal Code
Written by: Matt Oliver
Rating: 7/10
Cold breath fogging up the chrome, firearms permanently cocked while mission orders crackle down your earpiece...Subsignal comes chugging out of Dublin, where a microscopic seam keeps back the emotionless and ardent aspects of deep tech-contoured house. The chance of everything being tinted Lilac would be a fine thing, a drudge and dirge where electricity from shorn wires hanging from the ceiling is Subsignal’s idea of decorating the scene, only letting in the rotations of a fan blade appearing out of the nothingness of minimalism to slowly show life beyond the hangdog slog.
Palm-wringing, teeth-grinding organisation that’s no joyride but comes expecting time-keeping respect, is backed by a mix that is allowed no more than a nudge in a different direction. On this occasion Hypertic are given a chance at the controls to operate the granite whirlpool, as if having their dull-edged techno manoeuvres studied hawkishly. It’s sexier, in an environment of presets and low fuel indicators, envisioned by Feno &Peter Sweeney.
122, which you’d assume is a reference to identify the humans that walk Aaron Costelloe’s deserted tundra finished in shiny grey, mis-fields the air conditioning unit to let a passing blast of much-craved warmness through, on an otherwise hard-bitten expedition. Supported by The Parallel, the second hand ticks by a little quicker but otherwise is another not for taking in comfortable breaths over a colourless path that turns vice handles hard on temples.
http://www.datatransmission.co.uk/ViewReview/2262
