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French musician Vincent Pujol (who is E.S.R.) is without doubt one of the most criminally underrated musicians currently on the electro scene. This second release carries on where his debut "Distorted Visions" left off with a wonderful collection of 15 tracks (10 originals, 5 remixes) from an artist with the ability to equal the dark melodic soundscapes of In Strict Confidence with dancefloor-friendly tracks that, due to their melodic complexity and variety, could also be enjoyed at home with something new to be discovered each time. This is something that only the very best electro artists achieve and the fact that this is all part and parcel of ESR's sound is further proof of this act's talent. The psychadelic touches that mark the opening of "Black Out (Regrip" show a commendable will to incorporate varied textures and sounds into the music which adds to this album's feeling of 'completeness', like a compelling novel that brings the atmosphere fully to life all around you while never losing site of it's original intent.
Even more encouragingly this standard is maintained throught the album, causing the listener to think "it must run out of steam soon" but the amazing thing is that this possibility never becomes reality so whether it's the excellent opening salvo of "Free My Soul" and the pacey "Synthetic Stimulant (Internal Corrosion)" with it's vocodered vox, the darkly melodic chorus of the slower "Final Rebellion (Insurrection)" and "Torment" or the short and punchy instrumental "New Life" it's a journey you'll want to take time and time again. Vince weaves his magic throughout this album with barely a dull moment to be found here.
And as if that wasn't enough, the remixes maintain this high standard with Oil 10's innovative take of "Free My Soul" contrasting slightly with the hi-octane EBM mixes of Psychonicold, Muckrakers (both names to look out for, it seems) and labelmates Noise Process although Data Raper's industrial strength/bleepy take on "Free My Soul" does seem to get a bit lost.
This album was released by Wire in Europe and the excellent DSBP in North America so wherever you are geographically there's no excuse for not checking this album out and making it yours very soon. If you don't then you'll be missing out on one of the very best new electro talents and you don't want that, do you?
RATING: 9
Artist Link: http://www.dsbp.cx
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