VA - Fuga II (2020)

oken returns with the second instalment of Fuga.

Following on from Fuga I, which featured music from new and exciting talents alongside more established players within the genre, the label presents its next incisive entry.

Spread across eight tracks once more, the release continues in the same vein as its predecessor presenting a collection of reduced techno recordings in equal parts atmospheric as they are functional.

As a compilation the release develops gently - JRD's undulating workout Purple Blades opens proceedings, followed closely by Dutch Stalwart Deniro's crisp riser Silhouette. Sleek reduction Blush, courtesy of JSSL, continues this soft increase in intensity before ORBE's stylish, acid driven Motor opens things up properly into peak time territory. Argentinian Pfirter toys with big room kick drums and an outlandish rave lead on Cyclic Model, managing to deliver an occasionally misconceived combination with some considerable style - and Dustin Zahn turns in a compilation highlight with The Organ Trail, an incessant, heads-down workout. The Lady Machine keeps the energy up with Resilience, and Arthur Robert's closer Illegal Gatherings provides an off-kilter conclusion to the compilation release.

Fuga II provides a continuation of the motifs and constructions explored in the first entry, advancing them to some degree and introducing new characters to Token, whilst maintaining a sense of cohesion within the series itself, and the label as a whole.