MAEDON - 2.0 [Rant & Rave Records]

Five years in Berlin, two albums, and an ongoing residency at Tresor have brought her recognition; Maedon is already an established voice, but also one in transition. The eighth release on her own Rant & Rave imprint announces it in its title, 2.0, and in its sound, a bold shift from her industrial roots towards the groove-laden techno that allowed her to make a name for herself in im Keller. The product of a careful study into techno’s roots and evolution, this gradual process comes to fruition here, showcasing a refreshing new direction for an already established artist.

"Working Out the Kinks" opens the EP, more a daring exercise than the work-in-progress its title suggests. A vocal sample and rough groove initially bring an old-school feel, something quickly countered by startlingly modern production details. At the EP’s heart, "Temporal" and "Growing Pains" attack techno head-on, with style to spare. In the former, growling bass and rotating pads gradually come together into a symphony of sonic debris, with sharp drums cutting through the haze. In the latter, a bouncing bassline and fleeting fills keep the rhythm moving, surrounded by stripped-down industrial elements and a grimy atmosphere. "Breakthrough" does just that: its awkward, modulating lead and blunt EBM bass are hit by waves of percussion, only to culminate in a jackhammer that confirms Maedon’s second coming.