Artist: Weisses Licht
Title: Transhumanism EP
Label: Lucidflow
Release Date: 10 October 2016
Cat. Number: LF119

 

Tracklist

1 – Transhumanism
2 – Replication
3 – Nanobots Change Molecules
4 – Cryonics

 

Long-time favourites of Lucidflow, Weisses Licht – translated as White Light – follow up their 2014 release ‘Self Discovery’ with ‘Transhumanism’. Coming off the back of Sebastian Albrecht’s ‘Soppy’ tearing up of the manifesto, this is very much a return to the archetypal Lucidflow sound – deep and widescreen. The theme ‘Transhumanism’ is firmly planted in sci-fi, reflected in the titles of the four tracks contained within.

Unhurried, the lead track steadily paces towards the lynchpin mid-track break. Here, the dub chords that drive the track along begin to shift in stature, flanked by orchestral grand piano, an arcing bassline, and incidental soundtrack-y embellishments. Scene setting out of the way, the skipping kicks of ‘Replication’ let you know that there is a change in intent. Sci-fi chords sit alongside an staccato elastic bassline with serotonin shifts in key.

Living up to its title, the electronic blips and beeps in ‘Nanobots Change Molecules’ conjures up images of sci-fi author Alastair Reynold’s Earth in the novel Century Rain – a future where Earth is desolate, roamed by rogue nanomachines that break down organic life. It has a sense of suspended drama and alienation, that of a cold future and the daunting lure of a star studded canopy.

Closing track ‘Cryonics’ fits its billing, almost like the retelling of a grand space opera. It’s mood is one of closure, the drift after a great peak. The gnarly bassline has a thread of funk to it that sounds like it could have been ripped from Michael Jackson’s Thriller, while the pads are constant and undulating, holding the tension right to the close.
‘Transhumanism’ is available on 10th October 2016.