Downliners Sekt isn’t your ordinary down-tempo trip-hop electronic fare. The first track, “Benz” sets a pattern that is oppressive and menacing but still drags you in. “Disable” appears to liven up with a nice dance tempo until the voice sample emerges; comments on the dangers of chemical terrorism. The album continues with a light-at-the-end-of-tunnel effect yet always keeping you from that light. This would be a depressing recording if Downliner Sekt wasn’t so good. In fact “Weather Underground” in an outstanding track with a marvelous vocal by Emma Louise Yohanan wrapped in a fantasy of electronic sounds. The industrial “L.R.A.V” is almost as good and is an enjoyable example of sensory overload. “Manvantera” is both trancelike and nightmarish. The last three tracks are a bit anti-climatic considering what has gone on before but still exceptional. There is a masterful use of musical tension and release that keeps you wondering what will come next. The entire album is a worthwhile download but, at the very least, download and marvel at the incredible track, “Weather Underground”.

The album is availabe in 320kbps MP3 through either separate tracks or album zip.

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(click on “releases”, then on album cover)