After a four year hiatus the Japanese cassette label Solitude Solutions returns with a new release from one of their frequent collaborators Rottenlava. After a few sessions with it, I can sense that he seems to be moving away from the deconstructed sci-fi-flavoured electronica present on his previous tape "Mother C", and instead branches out into other, equally fascinating territories. Side A is almost entirely dedicated to a mutant techno sound in the vein of Ivo Pacheco's Masha project (which I adore), so it got me hooked immediately. The 3-minute follow up "西中島シナリオセンター" slows the tempo down and channels industrial synth and drone vibe that feels very underground (literally). On side B, which is a fully fleshed out music suite, we are hit with a wall of rhythmic noise from the get go. Backed with ambient undertones the atmosphere here is actually really calming before it gradually evolves into a minimal, industrial leaning hip-hop beat. A few minutes later it is taken over by a tension building distorted piano that sets the stage for the final droning ambient outro. A lot is going on here, but it's a rewarding listen.
"Rottenlava Vs. Rottenlava II", officially scheduled for tomorrow, can be pre-ordered here, and streamed in full below.