British producer and label affiliate Radondo makes a striking debut on Wrong Era with his EP, 'Deluge'. His unique blend of influences, drawn from his time in the German Capital and inspirations within Italo Disco, creates a musical landscape that is both familiar and refreshing.
'Deluge' opens with the commanding 'Virtue,' a muscular track that propels listeners into an exhilarating peak-time setting. The persistent kick and guttural bassline launch the arrangement into an arp-led enigmatic journey. Metallic synth lines dance off each other amidst the anchoring instrumentation. A breakdown with Giallo atmosphere close at hand rises to blistering hi-hats and harmonious percussion scattering across the mix.
As the dust settles, the second track, 'Centrale', picks up the pace and toes the line. A homage to the golden days of Synth-Wave and Italo Disco, 'Centrale' paints a dynamic and introspective picture filled with solid instrumentation and mystical melodics. A familiar arpeggiated tone whips back and forth whilst a rhythmic synth vocal phrase cries out. Building on the release of the central theme, an unmistakably Oberheim-led hook, characterized by its rich warmth, is beautifully complimented by the bassline. Radondo furthers his compositional flair, broadening the range and deepening the feelings.
The title track, 'Deluge', is a swooning nod to the darker edges of New Wave. It features the basslines and vocals of the poetic powerhouse Neu-Romancer. Sweeping in with driving percussion and drunken pads, we are immersed in a dimly lit, smoky realm. This poignant track has Radondo debuting a piece with vocal focus . As rimshots tunefully click above tight drums, Neu-Romancer's bass rolls beneath, culminating in an arcane call and response between the lyrics and the machines.
'Deluge' concludes with 'Overflow,' a track that pulses through a storming low-end dripping in gloom. A noise-led melody that descends tonally lifts the adrenal energy throughout. The cooling breaths that punctuate each section leave space for 'Overflow' to set a captivating tone, immersing the listener in the overall atmospheric experience of the EP. 'Deluge' is a testament to Radondo's innate ability to create a musical journey that captivates and enthrals.
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