Veröffentlicht
Oct 8, 2016Veröffentlicht
September 2016
- Last year, Toronto resident Graham Bertie returned from a two-year break with an EP on Chicago label The Nite Owl Diner. RA's Patric Fallon called that one a "fresh start," leaning towards a richer, more melodic sound away from the caustic techno he worked with on Turbo.
Reflections, released through Spectral Sound, is said to be the result of choosing "to stay in more than go out." These dense, colourful dance tracks don't feel like they were written with the floor in mind, as Bertie switches melodies and instrumentation so quickly that they never really soak in. This is an issue on "Odyssey" and "Lonely Planet," where Bertie overcooks the groove rather than letting it simmer. "Lonely Planet" could have been a fine house track, but it sounds more like three of them mashed together.
The other two tracks are better, the little changes gradually building to a satisfying energy level rather than depleting it. "Kodama" is especially glorious, full of percussive details, like the sliver of a drum break that skips through the second half, and "Alphaville" deploys its acid lead wonderfully. Those two suggest that Bertie has an ear for glossy sounds and catchy melodies—he just needs to remember to make rhythms to match.
TracklistA1 Odyssey
A2 Kodama
B1 Alphaville
B2 Lonely Planet