Subjected - Mother (2019)

Vault Series founder Subjected releases his sophomore album entitled ‘Mother’ on his Subjected Systems featuring ten ambient, leftfield and techno cuts this March.

An essential figure within Berlin’s techno scene, Subjected has released on ARTS, the enigmatic STOOR and his very own Vault Series. Subjected Systems is a newer project which has so far hosted two releases, one from Transient X4 and another collaborative effort between Subjected and Andrejko.

The label showcases a post-industrial era, that keeps ties to the underground scene that gave birth to it but signals its occupation of a different realm than its predecessor. Subjected now returns with his second album for the label’s third release. Entitled ‘Mother’, the longplayer came to fruition after Subjected became a father himself – inspired by processing the changes that were not
only happening around him, but to his partner and a new life.

Instigating proceedings, unearthly drones pave way for ominous risers in ‘Untrue’, before the electric ‘You Know Nothing’ thunders in, where buzzy leads are shaped by heartbeat kicks dictating capricious pace. ‘Algorithm Lies’ bounces with an erratic hollow bass while real organ samples render a dramatic tone, leading into the sinister ‘Purification’ with its ripping synths and clinical drums. An oscillating bassline joins stylish open hats in ‘Nothing is Sure’, making way for the luscious tones of ‘The Lullaby of Marian’ with its beautiful arps until ‘Mother’ generates infectious rhythm with intricate FX patterns over a steady kick. Nearing the end, ‘Bloodborne Pathogen’ offers a retro arpeggiated synth that meticulously develops and modulates throughout, before ‘Trope’ offers refreshing clarity with hopeful chords fluttering above heavily distorted yet distant drums. Finally ‘Everything Should Be Fine Now’ rounds things off with an exquisite ambient drone.