Makaton – Ra Ra Replica (Token)

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Makaton

The dark, dystopian techno found on Makaton’s Ra Ra Replica – his first release for Belgian-based label Token Records in five years – is, simply put, the stuff of nightmares. The dark and muscular four-track set begins with the sinister ‘Lead You Astray’; indeed, the UK veteran – real name Steve Bailey – begins things off with a tasteful and skipping techno groove before entwining this with an absolutely twisted synth melody and brooding bass drones.

The frenetic industrialism found on ‘Night #1’ is the album highlight. A hyperactive groove dominates the first two minutes before Bailey expertly unfurls everything and ups the intensity even more – high pitched, echoing synths boom across the throbbing 4/4 beat, before he brings in hi-hats for a truly haunting and transfixing second half.

Side 2 is by far the dancier half of the record, with the first few minutes of ‘Spit To Lubricate’ sounding almost like The Field with its sensual, bopping repetition. Bubbling, arpeggiated synths and what sounds like a saw being bowed come in occasionally for a particularly creepy second half. Bailey does provide some necessary relief in closer ‘Dstabilise’. It is the grooviest track on the album, with phased-out synths wrapping themselves around a glitchy one-note melody.

Stretching over almost half an hour, it is a great set to listen to, particularly in any evocative surrounds. Evoking Sandwell District’s unrelenting set for Fabric from last year, Makaton has created music that won’t be for all occasions; but for the early morining train ride, late night exercising, or in the club post-2am, it may just prove revelatory.

Wyatt Lawton-Masi

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