Ignez - Tides (2x12") [Token]

Ignez returns to Token in a new format once again, presenting his first LP with the Belgian label. One of the most intriguing artists on the scene to have emerged in recent years, the young Dutchman has paved his way to recognition by experimenting with sonic narratives and performing them with efficiency on the dancefloor. Constantly working on the conceptual intentions of his records, Ignez offers a refreshing take on club music by giving it his unmistakable touch of cinematic storytelling.

'Tides' is a tribute to his personal connection with nature, with each track representing a shift in energy and emotional atmosphere, rising and falling with each transition. With this approach, it only makes sense to release a project of this length; Ignez is able to tell his story through waves, washing assertive rhythmic works with distant keys and soothing pads. Tracks such as the album intro 'Enchant' and 'Delusional Bond' inspire curiosity about what lies beyond murky waters and the impactful outcome of these tracks explains the untamable quality of ocean tides through erratic percussion and sharp sound design as in 'Bliss'. Ignez's synth work throughout 'Tides' is elusive, if you can say so, swimming through its arrangements unpredictably. He tells the story of an environment that at times imposes the harsh rules of its territory with restless elements ready to jump in at any given moment. This feeling of near powerlessness can be felt, for example, in 'Awakening', a record that centers on intrigue and suspense over a constant four-to-the-floor thump. Curiosity, anticipation, discovery: these are all things that can describe the chosen theme and, of course, Ignez's work as a composer. The album serves as a look into the artist's respect for unstoppable energy and its translation through the expressive sound design and dense atmospheres that brought him to the forefront of his scene.