Dark Matter EP by Roman Debnar: A Techno-Infused Cosmic Trip You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, let’s cut to the chase. Roman Debnar’s Dark Matter EP (released in 2019 via Zeitnot) is one of those sneaky little gems that worms its way into your brain and refuses to leave. It’s techno with a side of deep house, served up cold like a pint of lager on a rainy UK night. And yeah, it’s mastered by Loz Grover—so you know it sounds smoother than butter sliding off a hot knife.
The album clocks in at just three tracks (Calm The Nerves, Dark Matter, and Rekonsider), but don’t let the brevity fool ya. This isn’t filler material; every second feels intentional, like Debnar sat there tweaking knobs until his fingers bled. Let’s zoom in on two standouts because life’s too short for mediocre playlists.
First up: “Dark Matter.” If this track had a personality, it’d be the moody dude leaning against the wall at a rave, refusing to dance but still somehow cooler than everyone else. The bassline grinds like an old washing machine on its last leg, but instead of being annoying, it’s oddly hypnotic. There are these shimmering synths floating around like stardust caught in zero gravity, and before you know it, you’re zoning out and thinking about black holes or something equally pretentious. Honestly, it’s the kind of tune that makes you feel smarter than you actually are—which is always a win.
Then there’s “Calm The Nerves.” Don’t be fooled by the title; this thing doesn’t calm anything. It’s more like someone whispering “relax” while setting off fireworks behind you. The beat builds slowly, teasing you with soft pads and distant echoes, only to drop into this relentless groove that grabs you by the collar and shakes you awake. About halfway through, there’s this weird little glitchy moment—it’s subtle, almost like a hiccup—but damn if it doesn’t stick with you. Like when you accidentally spill coffee on your shirt but then realize it kinda looks cool.
As for Rekonsider, well… we’ll save that for another day. Sometimes less is more, right?
What’s wild about Dark Matter EP is how it manages to sound both futuristic and nostalgic at the same time. It’s the musical equivalent of finding an old cassette tape in your attic and realizing it’s secretly a treasure map. By the end, you’re left wondering why more electronic music can’t hit this sweet spot between cerebral and straight-up bangers.
So here’s the kicker: after listening to this EP, I started googling whether dark matter really exists. Spoiler alert—it does. But now I’m convinced Roman Debnar might’ve invented it first. Or maybe he just knows something we don’t. Either way, give this EP a spin. Your ears—and possibly your existential crisis—will thank you later.
