Saniel Woods takes the listeners on an introspective ride with Techno Village, an exploratory journey of rhythm, emotion, and imagination. The album’s 12 tracks convey Saniel Woods’ expertise in creating soundscapes that flow from light to serious, and it is a rollercoaster ride for fans of experimental techno. Every one of the tracks is an exoplanetary chapter in this journey.
1. Black Sea
Dark, mysterious, and hypnotic, “Black Sea” takes listeners on a journey to a sea of heavy basslines and ethereal echoes. Rising tension step by step as if you’re being pulled down into dark waters, the song ignites melodic gradual transformations that echo with flashes of light cutting through shadows. The insistent beat of the song hypnotizes, pulling you into musical emptiness. It’s a cinematic opener that establishes the album’s bold and enigmatic tone, making it clear you’re in for an adventurous ride. A testament to Saniel Woods’ ability to paint vivid mental landscapes, “Black Sea” is a standout introduction.
2. Discovery
“Discovery” embodies curiosity and wonder with its dynamic blend of pulsating synths and uplifting crescendos. The track begins quietly questioning, introducing intricate melodies slowly until anticipation of finding a hidden treasure reaches its peak. By the time the drops come, the song is an enlightening, celebratory piece of art, living life as it happens. It’s whimsical and uplifting, a testament to Saniel Woods’ ability to marry emotion with music. Skillfully poised between euphoria and curiosity, “Discovery” encourages listeners to stay open to the unexpected, laying the groundwork for the audio escapades that follow.
3. Shooting Star
Adrenaline-charged and electrifying, “Shooting Star” burns through your consciousness like a meteor through the stars. Saniel Woods creates an exhilarating sonic landscape with glittering synths and a breakneck pace, capturing the exhilaration of a space chase. The whirl of shimmering melodies and hammering basslines creates an impression of fleeting wonder, attempting to catch the tail of a comet. The tune is certainly a dancefloor hit, full of kinetic energy and an irrepressible feeling of urgency. A divine treat, “Shooting Star” is a technical coup and an emotional peak of the Techno Village world.
4. Neptune
Dive into “Neptune,” where Saniel Woods constructs a flowing techno fantasy. The song is fluid and mysterious, with ambient waves of sound surging and collapsing like the shores of a distant sea. Gliding synth tones skim across its surface, while beneath lies a soft, driving beat that resonates with the peaceful but cryptic presence of its namesake planet. The balance of serenity and anxiety in this piece is perfection itself, carrying the listener to a reassuring yet unnerving destination. Woods’ skill in crafting atmospheric textures makes “Neptune” a reflective but engrossing listen, inviting you into its soundworld.
5. Strange Planet
Random, quirky, and full of character, “Strange Planet” is akin to stepping onto an alien planet. Woods combines goofy beeps, distorted beats, and unexpected drops into a soundscape that’s both dissonant and harmonious. The track defies rule, never actually playing according to the expected beat but somehow irretrievably danceable anyway. Catchy energy and quirky sensibility make it stick, and it shows Woods can mock experimental techno. “Strange Planet” is an alien party—alien but decidedly engrossing, making listeners want to ride again.
6. The Army Who Goes Party
A pulsating anthem with a dash of silliness, “The Army Who Goes Party” is as energetic as its name implies. Marching rhythms are the foundation of this song, but they’re quickly supplemented by flights of whimsical synth melodies and thumping basslines that turn the stern into the festive. It’s a rebellious combination of discipline and license, regimented beats set against unbridled play. The result is a song that’s disunited but cohesive, beguiling with its primitive sense of humor. Woods shows that techno can be aggressive and unadulterated on this standout track.
7. Mario
“Mario” is a retro stroll through 8-bit video game environments, intermixed with an infusion of techno. Woods mixes 8-bit-homage melody and modern beat into a lightweight but militant tune. The familiar chiptune melodies transport the listener back to an earlier era of pixelated adventure, but the relentless beat keeps him solidly in the present. It’s a classy tribute that never plays it low but rather produces a luxurious, textured composition. “Mario” is a perfect harmony between originality and subtlety, and it’s a delightful gem in Techno Village.
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8. Hot Drops
With twisting rhythms and irresistible undertones, “Hot Drops” gets red-hot. With the energy pulsating from this track, staccato drums fall heavy atop a pulsing bassline that churns with demented hooks. The changing tempo and mood dynamically recalls drops crackling on a hot pan, introducing a sensory element to the listening experience. Saniel Woods’ ability to build tension and payoff makes this song fresh every time. “Hot Drops” is a masterclass in balancing complexity and accessibility, and it’s a blazing new addition to the album.
9. Towelie
“Chill with a side of mischief” is the motto of “Towelie,” a laid-back-sounding song that nevertheless has a devil-may-care edge.
Saniel Woods makes a languid groove by layering unobtrusive synths above subdued percussion, creating a lazy beat. A playful undertone exists in the song, such as the tune is flirting with the listener but never getting incendiary. Perfect for kicking back, “Towelie” showcases the versatility of Woods, as he can make lazy bangers without losing your attention.
10. Roger’s Consentration
Experimental and introspective, “Roger’s Consentration” is like speeding through a sound maze.
Woods toys with tempo and structure, constructing a track that is disconcerting but engrossing. The fractured rhythms and stacked synths create an atmosphere of absolute concentration, approximating the intellectual pressure of dedicating everything to an endeavor. It’s an intellectual track that must be listened to, and it rewards those who stick with it. Woods’ experimentation is going into full gear here, and “Roger’s Consentration” is a winner for techno aficionados who like their techno complicated. And, nope, that’s not a typo!
11. Fear and Loathing
Ominous, frantic, and atmospheric, “Fear and Loathing” transports listeners to a techno-horror spectacle.
Brooding melodies and relentless beats on the track create an image of turmoil and discomfort, conveying the disorienting feeling of its title. Saniel Woods skillfully ratchets tension throughout, using bouncy, jarring synths to keep listeners on edge. The song is an emotional rollercoaster, a gut-punch ride that hangs around long after it’s finished. “Fear and Loathing” is not for the weak of heart but is a virtuosic show of Woods’ ability to summon forceful emotion through sound.
12. Limitless
A finale in every sense, “Limitless” takes the album’s feeling of discovery and experimentation and runs with it.
Happy tunes and uplifting beats blend together in a sense of boundless freedom, finishing Techno Village with a climactic flourish. Saniel Woods’ use of stacked textures and kinetic motion builds a filmic sound, as if the triumphant climax of some odyssey. “Limitless” is merely left to push and motivate the listener, an appropriate finale to an album which never hesitates to push limits and find the untapped.
Let us know which is your favourite track or tracks of all. Until then, happy listening!
