True to the album title, MOMENTUM propulses Monolake further as exemplars of what techno can be. The opening track, "Cern," already combines a driving rhythm with some deep and dark textures, while "Linear" is as alinear as you can get, delving into abstraction. "Tetris" is similarly challenging. And though the beats are heavy through many of the tracks ("Atomium" and "Stratosphere" are a good examples), it's also leavened by the ambient influences of "White_II." The melodics of "Excentric" add a beautiful atmosphere to the track, augmented by the chittering percussion laying on top. But, for my money, the dense and shadowy sonics of "Reminiscence" stand out most prominently. "Credit" takes the album out on pure ambience -- but what a journey it's been.
I think "Momentum" represents real progress in terms of Monolake's musicianship. On this latest full-length release, Henke has managed to take his signature style into new directions, and we're all the better for it.
"Momentum" features a wide variety of sounds, from all-out minimal techno stompers ('Excentric', 'Linear') to dreamy soundscapes ('Tetris', 'Reminiscence'), all with a touch of dub and a dose of the abstract.
I think the most interesting track on the album is 'White II', which juxtaposes some of the most peculiar percussion work I've heard on an electronic music production to Monolake's more familiar, 'sparingly lush' keyboard work. While 'White II' is extremely interesting, my personal favorite track is 'Reminiscence'. It has the most driving, minimal, addictive basslines, almost industrial-sounding percussion, hauntingly gorgeous dub chords and just plain odd, very electrifying samples.
Highly recommended not just to fans of dubby techno, but to anyone who's into to techno at all. "Momentum" is 'just' great music, plain and simple.
Some producers orbit around the techno sphere, others are heading outwards. Autechre are one such outfit, and Monolake another, although they are heading out on different trajectories. This record is superb. Huge and hugely introcate soundscapes, tight ear bouncing rhythms. Absorbing sounds to soundtrack the most inspiring of landscapes. The further they get from the core, the more impressive they sound.