Seattle's Innerflight Music has dipped into a darker source of inspiration for their latest release. Spon.10.80 is the perpetrator on this single which features the tracks “Smoke Screen” and “Runtime Error” – and if those titles bring to mind Metal Gear Solid, the sounds also wouldn’t be far off. One could be forgiven for envisioning the more energized scenes of an industrial spy mission. The Seattle producer delivers sinister music for the headspace, both tactical and elicit, sure to also make an impact pumping out of large club speaker stacks.
“Smoke Screen” features a pulsing sub, far out electric currents, and complex polyrhythms with, at times, wonderfully contrasting human hand percussion. Luke Mandala, an artist with an extensive catalog that includes labels like Booka Shade Records and Baroque, turns in two remixes of the track. His Flying Above the War Smoke version is more linear, using intense stabs as its driving force along with relentless glitchy acid rim shots and hi hats, all building into an ethereal melodic section used to dramatic effect. Two minutes of teasing on Luke’s other take, the Through the Smoke Remix, lead into a swampy, bass line growl that’s picked up all of the surrounding muck along its way.
The second Spon.10.80 original, “Runtime Error,” comes from a more monstrous place than the first. Scattered, echoing melodies are cut through by the rumble of harder sound effects. A real sense of forward motion is achieved, but where to is undisclosed. Another remixer is then introduced to the package: Sone, the artist name of fellow Seattle producer and one of the brains behind the From 0–1 label, Brian Sonnleitner. He shows real patience molding the original in his hands, essentially turning it into a cavernous, reverberating big room dub. It maintains a high energy while projecting a sense of peace that is sure to build tension in well crafted, fluid DJ sets.
Repeated listens to the tracks and remixes on this Innerflight release likely will never reveal their individual secrets, the greater picture being in the holistic experience of these action packed pieces. These are weapons for expert DJs with an ear honed for more intricate dance floors.
Seattle’s Innerflight Music has a reputation as a forward thinking music label and production crew responsible for countless
events in and around the Seattle area. With a diverse label roster of talented artists, 2013 has seen the label rapidly gaining attention with a steady stream of unique releases touching on various flavors of techno, house and a touch of future bass music for good measure....more
Snappy breakbeats, acid-drenched samples, and ’90s techno textures abound on this five-track knockout from the South Korean DJ and producer. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 13, 2023
Hooks from the matrix: an alluring, kinetic blend of vaporwave, dub, and acid house from Vancouver producer Dorosoto. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 16, 2022
A tribute to the late Florian Schneider, this cover of “Neon Lights” nails both the spirit and sound of the original. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 4, 2020