Surreal Life EP by Fractious: A Techno Journey That Sticks With You
Alright, let’s talk about Surreal Life EP by Fractious. Released in 2018 on the German label Trapez, this little gem dives deep into techno with a vibe that feels both raw and smooth at the same time. If you’re into electronic music that messes with your head (in a good way), this one might just hit the spot.
First off, the track "Wind Talker" – oh man, this one got me hooked from the first beat. It’s like… imagine standing in an empty warehouse at 3 AM, staring at flickering neon lights while some dude in the corner tweaks knobs on a machine. The rhythm builds so subtly, layering these eerie synths over pounding kicks, and before you know it, you’re completely lost in it. It’s not overly flashy or loud, but there’s something haunting about how it unfolds. When Patrik Berg’s remix comes in later, it flips the mood entirely—suddenly, it’s more aggressive, almost like someone turned up the tension dial without warning. I remember thinking, “Whoa, okay, this is where things get wild.”
Then there’s "Bad Syntax." The Tom Laws remix, specifically? Absolute fire. This version takes the original track and twists it into something darker, grittier. There’s this hypnotic bassline that feels like it’s crawling under your skin, refusing to leave. Every time I hear it, I can’t help but move—even if it’s just tapping my foot weirdly under the table at work. The drop? Insane. Feels like falling down a staircase made of soundwaves, but instead of pain, it’s pure euphoria.
What makes this EP stand out isn’t just its technical brilliance—it’s how emotional it feels. Yeah, sure, techno often gets labeled as cold or mechanical, but Fractious proves that wrong here. These tracks have personality; they tell stories without saying a word. It’s like listening to fragments of dreams stitched together by machines.
Now, here’s the random thought I had while writing this: Why do we always expect albums to be perfect? Like, maybe the beauty of something like Surreal Life EP lies in its imperfections—the moments where the beats stumble slightly, or the melodies feel unfinished. Maybe life itself is kinda like that too—messy, unpredictable, yet strangely beautiful when you really pay attention. Anyway, go listen to it. Your ears will thank you later.
