Assign – Thirtyone Years

Totally agree with user Max16032 about the monumentally HUGE break in "AD 2019 Neo Tokyo" - this obviously came out when big breakdowns/builds were the "thing" but this track takes it to the extreme & it actually works really well. I actually think the track has aged quite well too and would love an excuse to fit it into a set sometime.

Definitely an overlooked 12" this one.

I must start with the true meaning of this review: This record is a gem. It surprised me a lot since the first time I played it. This is one of the many examples in the Harthouse repertoire of releases that were overlooked in the past years. Both sides of this are so brilliant and unique that I'll make my own opinion about both:

"1998.7.16 Tokyo": Like the name suggest, the track tries to recreate one of the most technologically advanced cities in the world, and in a good way. As you hear it, you'll imagine yourself traveling through it's neon packed streets at high speeds. Plenty of futuristic tunes, deep beats, acid frequencies, and a haunting atmosphere that brings the perfect touch.

"AD 2019 Neo Tokyo": This track is exactly the opposite of the first side. Monotonous, minimalistic, with a melody that repeats over and over again...this formula is applied during the first 5 minutes. Then, after a very brief pause, Assign manages to create one of the (In my opinion) greatest "breaks" in electronic music. It's difficult to explain here, but you must hear to believe. It's amazing.

The track titles give us an idea of the change that society is experiencing. In 1998.7.16, the expansion of technologies and robotics makes our world much more advanced, but, in 2019, the emphasis in repetition and monotony illustrates that humans will become robots: Advanced, but with the tendency to repeat the same routine forever.

This record is an essencial in a Harthouse collection. Absolutely mind-blowing, and out of this world. 5/5!