SPECTRAL TENSION

Border One pushes his sound to new extremities with this latest EP on Token 'Spectral Tension'. Known for his driving, melodically abstract productions under eye twitching pressure, the Belgian artist takes his celestial signature and puts it to the test. These four tracks embody his sound: dancefloor experiments from a modular laboratory.

The titletrack matches its name with an obscure soundscape; the steadily paced rhythm is veiled by shimmering synth work from far out. Border One has always created depth in his music, the sonic environment is consistently, precisely described and 'Spectral Tension' kicks off the EP as a clear example of this technique. Explorative yet determined, Border One rolls through the track dramatically with focused percussion switches. 'Lens Flare' follows in suit, taunting the listener with a devious synth sequence. Claps thunder through the record like a strobe, flattening the dimension before opening for the rise. The B side presents 'Dilated Horizon', a slow burn with chemical sound design. Viscous synth work bubbles through a drone to create a singularly hypnotic effect and the tension remains brutally stagnant throughout the song's entirety. The EP closes with 'Photon Decay', returning to dissonant keys and lurking pads far out in the stereo field. Scientific as always, Border One points a laser through this conclusion to add even more edge to an already anxious record. Skipping keys come and scratch the high end of 'Photon Decay', providing further mystery to the EP as a whole. Exceptional in his sound, Border One adds 'Spectral Tension' as his seventh release to the Token catalog.