Mad Rider - fmrann8

Label: vierundvierzig – 4&40.01
Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-LP
Country: Austria
Released: Feb 2, 2024
Genre: Electronic
Style: Techno, Ambient, Experimental, Dub Techno

#10 BEST ALBUMS OF 2024

Following a decade of high-grade output from a crop of local artists, Salzburg-based record label Freakadelle kick-start 2024 with a rebrand - repositioning themselves as vierundvierzig - translating as 'forty-four'.

To mark the occasion, vierundvierzig welcome mysterious Austrian producer Mad Rider to the fold with a mini-LP named 'fmrann8' - coincidentally marking the producers first ever vinyl release.

Boasting digitised cloud vapour artwork by roc.rex and mastered by Mattias Fridell - the album cover reminds me of the SOMA's 'Sci. Fi. Hi. Fi.' CD Series (2005 - 2008), featuring minimal, house and techno DJ mixes from the likes of Ewan Pearson, Luciano, Alex Smoke, Funk D'Void and Slam.

Conceived during the pandemic, 'fmrann8' was finalised after the reopening of clubs, providing a vehicle for hesitant mids of wanting/not wanting to revisit the club environments. Consisting of seven tracks, 'fmrann8' delves between downtempo outer-dimensional sonics via deep house and dub techno.

Our pick is 'amtent' - a timbral dub techno club tool, flecked with reverb birdsong, muffled minimalism and stomping 4/4 kick drum, resulting in a deep and provocative track, that is exactly what is needed to warm up during these frosty snaps.

1. fernid
2. mdor
3. rotwein
4. amtent
5. nights
6. noerg
7. 83rfvz