Oliver Koletzki - The Arc of Tension (2LP) [Stil Vor Talent]

Format: 2x12" in printed gatefold sleeve.
CAT: SVT193LP

On his sixth album, The Arc Of Tension, Berlin-based DJ, producer, and label owner Oliver Koletzki once again presents his remarkable vision for contemporary electronic music, taking on the additional role of narrator. The Arc Of Tension addresses the listener as a singular, self-contained work, communicating through its natural flow and arc of tension. The latter is not only reflected in the album's multifaceted narrative but can also be understood as evidence of its creator's extensive musical journey.

While Koletzki's previous albums focused on a wide variety of vocal collaborations, he now moves towards a distinct form of storytelling, rooted both in the serene confidence of a seasoned musician and the frenetic pace of a globally in-demand DJ's life. The Arc Of Tension is a psychonautic journey through the different continents of Oliver's consciousness. The gentle chirps and warbles that initially unfold in "A Tribe Called Kotori" thus function as an associative bridge to "Der Mückenschwarm," the massive hit that marked his breakthrough in 2005. The first minutes of the album leave no room for doubt: we immediately enter an autobiographical sound world that captivates from the start.

The dreamy and exotic timbres of the downtempo tracks "By My Side," "Tankwa Town," and "Byron Bay" penetrate the mind subtly but intentionally. But soon the tension begins to intensify and the organic sounds gradually evolve into a firmer electronic cadence. The sweet, melancholic neon synths of "Spiritual Not Religious" pave the way for the complex rhythm of "A Star Called Akasha," one of the album's first highlights, driven by melancholic cellos and contemplative piano chords.

The true turning point comes with "Through the Darkness." Here, at the album's center, Koletzki begins to continuously increase the tempo and guides the way with his melodic interpretation of the contemporary techno zeitgeist, an aesthetic he has been shaping since Iyéwaye in 2015.

"Planetarium," "They Can't Hold Me Back," and "Chaturanga" further demonstrate that the fusion of delicate musicality and pure force leads to intensely ecstatic results. With its rough guitar chords and the acidic chatter of the TD303, "Power to the People" announces the denouement of The Arc Of Tension, until we finally take off into space, propelled weightlessly by the ambient drones of "The Day We Leave Earth."

In the end, what remains is the feeling of having received a profound glimpse into the inner universe of an exceptional artist.