Album Review: Never Look Back – Mixed by Art Crime
Alright, so let’s dive into this beast of an album. Never Look Back, mixed by Art Crime, is one of those records that just grabs you and doesn’t let go. It came out in 2014 under Strelka Bar, a Russian label known for pushing boundary-pushing electronic sounds. The genres here are all over the place but somehow totally cohesive—techno, acid, house, ambient—it’s like they threw a party and invited everyone who mattered.
First off, I gotta shout out the title track, “Art Crime - Never Look Back.” This thing hits HARD. From the get-go, it’s got this driving beat that feels like your heartbeat syncing up with the bassline. Then there’s this hypnotic synth loop that sneaks in, kind of acidic but smooth as hell. You know when a track makes you forget where you are? Yeah, that happens about two minutes in. It’s not flashy or trying too hard; it just WORKS. If techno had a spirit animal, this would be it.
Another standout is… well, honestly, I don’t even remember the name (bad memory, sorry). But it’s this moody ambient piece near the middle of the mix. Starts off super chill, almost like background noise, but then these eerie pads creep in, and suddenly you’re questioning every life choice you’ve ever made. Not in a bad way though—in a way that makes you wanna sit on your balcony at 3 AM staring into the void. It’s haunting, but also kinda comforting, y’know?
What I love about this whole album is how seamless it feels. Like, yeah, DJ Mix credits go to Art Crime, but damn, dude didn’t just mix tracks—he built a vibe. One song flows into the next without any awkward transitions, which isn’t always easy in electronic music. And props to him for keeping things interesting. Just when you think you’ve got the vibe figured out, BAM, he switches it up.
Now, here’s the random thought I’ll leave you with: listening to this album feels like being lost in some neon-lit Russian cityscape late at night. Except instead of feeling scared, you’re vibing so hard you never wanna leave. Weird flex, but okay.
If you’re into anything remotely electronic, do yourself a favor and check this out. Trust me, once you hit play, you won’t look back.
