Ivars Tilix has become a significant force in the underground dance arena and his Subconscious Tales production moniker. Now making his Particles debut, we welcome him and his "Twisted" EP to the label.
From Valmiera, some 60 miles to the north-east of the country's Riga capital, Latvian resident, Tilix, has found considerable notoriety both at home and beyond his national borders. With well over a century of production credits to his name, the Subconscious Tales story has been writ large across a host of impressive imprints including Spring Tube, Mistique Music and Balkan Connection, as original and remix production material has flowed from the Latvian's fingers.
However, it is with the Suffused Music label that the Subconscious Tales odyssey began, and that has also seen him develop a clutch of highly regarded releases. Original EPs in the shape of 2014 and 2015's "Till It Begins" and "Arris", have gone on to see high-profile remixes from the likes of Ewan Rill, LoQuai and Tuxedo, as Subconscious Tales has himself remixed Andy Weed, Tim Robert and superstar French DJ and producer, Rick Pier O'Neil.
Now marking a Particles debut with his unique blend of music that is formed around the central tenets of 'melodic, deep, powerful and hypnotising', Subconscious Tales takes centre stage with "Twisted".
The title track itself is a glorious combination of rhythm and melody seen through a prism of intricate percussive layers and cavernous bass groove. Evolving in trademark hypnotic fashion, a sustained, tension-fuelled pad paves the way for an intriguing series of vocal cuts to add to the rhythmic melange as a warm melodic motif juxtaposes elegantly against the rasping bass line. All elements come together to make their presence felt post-breakdown and the resultant work is an impressive "Twisted" affair.
"Colibri" continues the themes of its predecessor as deep kick and clicking percussive groove find their perfect match in a powerful bass line. Building to a sublime mid-point breakdown, a haunting and diaphanous lead line coruscates across the upper frequencies in charming fashion, extending into the third movement with delicate poise to create a track that underlines the Subconscious Tales modus operandi.
The final track sees strong kick and shuffling hi-hat urgency on "Fly High", pave the way for a trilling melodic line to meander across the upper frequencies that ends in frozen hypnotic delay. Textured pad layers then evolve, further extending the melodic bed, underpinned by a subterranean bass line. Building to a satisfying dénouement post-breakdown, the addition of a new percussive clave layer and winding lead line add further depth to an enticing and original piece.
Another debutant on the Particles label, Subconscious Tales can be rightfully proud of his "Twisted" triptych.
Directed by Jay Epoch
AandR by Marina Gerardi
Mastered by Subconscious Tales
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren
