Definition:Music HHV Records 5 Items

The Definition:Music crew is more than happy to introduce a new member to their artist family and therefore we’re sending a warm welcome to Natascha Polké! Backed by extensive studies in the UK metropolis of London, inspired by artists like Christian Löffler or Jan Blomqvist and drawing from her ever growing DJ & nightlife experience, which already saw Natascha Polké taking over slots at the famed Hive Club and other places, the Zurich-based artist developed a unique approach to what she describes as dreamy, melody-driven Electronica. The title track and opener “Stars Wrapped In Skin” starts on a complex, melodically intricate level, combining warm, analogue basslines and crystalline motifs for the dancefloor whilst Natascha Polké’s tender and fragile vocals add a certain element of beauty, melancholia and masterly sculpted sonic poetry, no matter if this tune is hammered through a big club P.A. or played on late night radio. “I Don’t Mind” indulges in deeply felt, most beauteous dancefloor melancholia and turns out to be one perfect closing tune for a long and ecstatic night out that’s about to end way after the wee hours have passed. With “Neverland” we see Natascha Polké’s love for the dancefloor and huge basslines manifest once again, this time fusing with cascading synth lines and hyper-harmonic arrangements whilst her distinct vocal style harks back to a history of well beloved big time bangers.

Temples is a tempting invitation into another world, full of light and movement. From the second the synth comes in this track has got us deep in its pocket. Shotter manages something that is hard to achieve - he has us floating completely, yet steadily carried by tip-toeing metallic rhythm elements and the relentless swells of bright synths. The game changer in the second half is a new, gritty bass quality, which couldn't roll in any more fiercely. At its fullest the track has us in an uncompromising trance, a relentless movement that we don't ever want to escape from. Breaking back down to pleasantly gentle hi-hat reverb-tails and inducing synth patterns Temples lets us down easy, with the unspoken promise to return.

Ueno claims the room to itself completely and immediately. The rise and fall of melodic synth lines lead us through a labyrinth at first, leaving plenty of space for imagination. Before we notice playful call-and-response rhythms are teasing our ears, until the track surrenders itself to an ever-growing wave of synth patterns and their behind-the-beat-delay. It climaxes into a haunting silence with tenuous high-pitched sounds and a clear outer space feel. Finally, all elements lock into a comforting groove, driving us forward, not too fast, not too slow - exactly right.

The track starts off with a blissfully nostalgic vintage-feel - slightly muffled, like the humbling quality you get from an old Technics playing your favourite LP. But don't be fooled, Cube March is bold. And unexpected. Stomping rhythms take over quickly and full-blown gritty synth-stabs cut the air effortlessly, like blades. An unapologetic and careless pumping bass line makes us want to move with every cell in our body. Shotter demonstrates his fearlessness in experimenting with heavy contrasts and elements from different genres here. A break with tastefully placed repetitive rhythm elements is complemented by the constant ebb and flow of melody lines. Both in volume and presence they fluctuate, one handing over the spotlight to the other seamlessly, keeping us hooked until the very end.

This remix lures you away from reality in a matter of seconds, with Definition's signature heavy hitting bass dominating. He expertly weaves shimmery fills into buoyant synth lines and brings us a skilful mix of dark minimal techno, breaks and infectious monster synth lines. Every so often, he adds a new layer, increasing the depth of the track, before letting it all crumble in a breakdown where time stops and tension grows, as we impatiently await the next rise to carry us away. The lengthy build-ups give this remix the energy to fill any room, easily. It is subtle, yet propulsive, too - a lane that Definition seems to manage regularly.

Following up to their acclaimed "Hold" EP from last year, German duo Alma reemerge on Definition with their new transmission, "Mother". Through four cuts dropping anchor down the most remote nooks of our dance-friendly galaxy, Alma move the cursor from proper floor-focused 4x4 grooves to kosmische-informed pop excursions with dextrous style and seamless elegance. Crafting their own blend of emotionally whelming club music, it's material primed for extended use whether you are sitting on some high-rise, towering rooftops at sunrise or enjoying a freeze-dried cocktail on Alpha Centauri. Presented in both original version and remix form courtesy of label head Definition himself, title-track "Mother" is the epitome of a slo-burner, rolling at low speed but gaining tension, weight and impactfulness as it runs. Circuits sizzling and piano stabs blazing, Alma dish out a compelling sample of their cross-dimensional wares, sure to take any dancefloor in the zone without further ado. Definition's Remix revamp trades the original's steady swing for a further syncopated, newbeat-infected swagger, laying further emphasis on the synth leads and lashing drumwork as poetic, bleached-out pads keep painting the sky all shades of pastel. A more Italo-inflected affair at first, the tear-jerking "Lost In The Stars" has us gliding in a parallel universe of its own, where epic-sized synth combers and muscular bass onslaughts avalanche over brittle lines of soft-tongued vocals. As concretely submerging as it is designed to trigger off deep emotional response from the ravers, this one is tailored to weave instant communion between the jockey and his audience. Flinging in the breaks and cross-cutting delays, Kiel outfit Avidus shift the angle of approach towards harder, faster EBM firepower, binding their rowdy, FX-soaked chords with the chorus to create a wholly distinct dancing and listening experience.

A download code is included. Lux’ is what we use to measure the intensity of light as we perceive it, when it’s hitting or passing through a surface. The first track, that gives the EP its name, embodies exactly that - the fluctuating, ever-changing nature of light; from fragile and fleeting to overwhelming and powerful. ‘Lux’ kicks off with warm synths creeping in, like rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds. Dreamy crescendos take you for a ride and build up until they melt into a comforting blanket of piano chords, accompanied by a propelling hi-hat pattern that will make you want to move. The track is hopeful, the start of a journey, with compelling break downs, industrial rhythm elements and powerful build-ups such as the one to the final section, dominated entirely by its fusion between techno-beat and dance-feel. Next up is ‘Odyssee’. An unapologetic track that picks up the pace. Kicking off boldly with harmonic tension and enticing drum sounds, it’s hard not to surrender to the rich and fast-moving soundscape. Proud drums meet steel sounds and tentative piano figures, all glued together by the driving beat, determined to get to the next stop of this lifelong voyage. Striking accents, in the form of short-lived breaths or staccato bass lines take you through a labyrinth of growing gritty synths. A track that easily leads you through space and time and makes it feel like the most natural thing in the world. We’re greeted with standalone bright and sparkly synth movements as ‘Phoenix’ rises and wraps us in warmth. Gently, like raindrops, a rhythmic pattern starts dripping in.

Into the void hits from second one. Strong beats lead the way into this dreamlike soundscape,
where metallic drum elements and effortless reverb tails take us on a journey. We get lost in a
slow build and an unassuming bass-line drives us home, until the track collapses just to hit twice
as hard coming back in. Dreamy vocals float over dirty synth lines, melodies that feel familiar
guide the way to continuous build ups, where we can’t help but move our bodies to the gritty,
thumping bass-line pushing us forward relentlessly.
Tempest is all about the beat. Simple, yet endearing, it reels us in and guides us on an endless
rise where fragile synth swells and powerful percussion elements tease our ears. High-pitched
glimmers dance across the soundscape with ease. A track that rises again and again, yet never
quite implodes in-between. Instead it builds, in the most natural way, skilfully and exquisitely,
whilst sirens add a well-rounded urgency, that’s hard to resist.