Math Ilium Ion

Norwegian house producer Andre Bratten took two years to follow up his 2013 Full Pupp-released debut LP Be a Man You Ant with sophomore release Math Ilium Ion (on new home Smalltown Supersound), displaying his commitment to perfecting his craft rather than prolifically pumping out 12"s like most dance music producers do. Bratten's warm, melodic analog tracks share qualities with labelmates such as Todd Terje and Prins Thomas, but he has much more of an affinity with European tech-house artists such as Booka Shade. His tracks take their time building up, and don't always go the most predictably crowd-pleasing route. Conga-driven disco cut "Trommer & Bass" opens the album and demonstrates Bratten at his most accessible, but more exciting are the crunchy beats, fizzing bass, and shimmering melodies of "Yours Sincerely, Andre Bratten." "Common Misconception" and its twin "Minor Misconception" are much more ominous and sinister, navigating their way through a dark tunnel with no easy relief. ~ Paul Simpson|