Idealist Mind Field

Idealist returns with his second long player this October, entitled ‘Mind Field’ and featuring eight dub-leaning cuts from the Swiss producer. Based out of Zurich, Switzerland, producer and DJ Idealist has become a respected figure in raw, dubby house and techno over the past five years via his releases on Echocord and his Idealistmusic and Details Series labels, picking up support along the way from the likes of Mike Huckaby, Dana Ruh, Tini and Mandar to name but a few. Here though we see him returning to Copenhagen’s Echocord with his second long player following 2016’s ‘Firewood Street’ on his own label. Leading on the package is ‘Explorer’, setting the tone with crunchy percussion, billowing stab sequences and airy dub swells before ‘Dimension’ employs pulsing subs, soft organ like chords and gritty analogue drums as its foundation whilst fluttering stabs and sweeping atmospherics wander within.‘Stage One’ is up next, consisting of a weight low end drive, thunderous kick and snappy clap running in unison with swirling dub echoes and tension building strings, a shining example of an effective dub-techno tool. ‘Golden Places’ offers something different, this time round embracing a walking bass groove, soft 303 style resonant flutters and cinematic strings. ‘M.I.T.H’ opens up the flips side of the release, upping the energy levels with a dynamic, robust rhythm, gritty stabs and murky modulating effects throughout before ‘Singularity’ edges things back into deeper territory with fluttering synth licks, vacillating pads and low-slung drums. ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ embraces a loop driven approach next with a focus on short, sharp synth cuts, bumpy drums and skippy hats before ‘Final Cut’, as the name would suggest, wraps up the album with oscillating percussion, choppy bass hits and raw drums all unfolding with the subtle nuances prevalent throughout yet another smooth and understated addition to Idealist’s catalogue.