At this tempo, there was plenty of scope for highlighting individual sounds with hefty doses of delay and reverb coupled with extreme EQing, achieving quite a dub-like aesthetic. It gets quite intense as it develops, but the slow tempo makes it feel ghostly and resigned rather than aggressive and in your face.

Then RuaridhTVO of The Village Orchestra fame came along with his Broken20 podcast series for which this concept seemed to fit nicely. So here’s the final mix, Broken20_04:

www.broken20.com/?page_id=5

There is also a digital-only remix package with further versions, all 7 of them in total. In addition to the ones on the vinyl, there’s deep techno from TVO, some abstract garage from Spatial, sci-fi dubstep from Gravious and cut-up electro from Bill Ambrose.

Take your pick!

Without further ado, here goes the 2009 version.

1. Raiders of the Lost ARP – Azymuth (2008)
There’s not much to it, definitely not a boundary-pushing groundbreaking sort of thing, but everything about it just sits right, and I absolutely love it. Heavily indebted to Detroit, with a rock solid 4/4 groove propelling everything forward and a plaintive, emotional chord progression taking it to the next level.

2. Hardfloor – The Trill Acid Theme (E.R.P. Remix) (2008)
3. Hardfloor – The Life We Choose (E.R.P. Remix) (2008)
Just like last year, E.R.P. features heavily in the top 20. These two remixes he did for Hardfloor vastly outshine the originals, and should be seen as unique productions in their own right. Slick and streamlined science fiction missiles, everything about these is perfectly nailed down and utterly devastating; the ultimate dystopian electro symphonies.

4. Appaloosa – The Day (We Fell in Love) (2008)
A love it or hate it track, I utterly fell in love with it in early 09. The music is electropop with a lo-fi, home-recorded feel to it, but what really sets it apart is the adorably melancholic and not quite in tune vocals of singer Anne-Laure Keib.

5. House of House – Rushing to Paradise (Walkin’ These Streets) (2009)
A loving homage to late 80s New York house, brimming with soulfulness, which sounds very refreshing and out-of-trend in a 2009 which still hasn’t quite shaken off the tedious minimalism of the last few years. At 13 minutes, it is a real epic. It doesn’t quite get going until 6 minutes in, but when it does it takes off sensationally.

6. E.R.P. – Sensory Process (2009)
The A-side of a vinyl release on Semantica limited to 100 copies, this is a yet another example of how on form Gerard Hanson is. Wait for 1:00 for a lesson in detuned saw usage.

7. Guy Gerber – Timing (2009)
Reminiscent of a Border Community release, with its somewhat prog housey production, but I’m head over heels with the exquisitely mournful main hook which first makes an appearance at 3:49.

8. Moderat – Rusty Nails (2009)
Moderat’s Moderat is a definite contender for album of the year and this is the standout track. At times the vocals are veering dangerously close to whiny Radiohead territory but despite this, the whole manages to come out wonderfully sublime.

9. Desire – If I Can’t Hold You (2009)
Desire is Johnny Jewel from Glass Candy’s side project, and while the album was a bit hit and miss, this slow motion neo disco tale of heartbreak and sleeplessness is classic pop miserablism. Beautiful.

10. Culoe de Song – The Bright Forest (2009)
An unusual track from this South African producer. It starts off as a fairly pedestrian deep house track with some tribal elements and not much happens until 4:26 when a deeply haunting and insanely epic string arrangement lifts it right up to heaven.

11. Lykke Li – Breaking It Up (Familjen Remix) (2009)
Familjen delivering the pop perfection once again. Insanely catchy, and with the most joyous use of the 303 ever at 0:53. The original doesn’t stand a chance.

12. Luomo – Love You All (2008)
The only Luomo track to rival the sublime Tessio, this has a similar feel of sophisticated, gorgeously uplifting sadness. Fantastic strings.

13. College feat. Electric Youth – She Never Came Back (Russ Chimes Remix) (2008)
I’ve just realised it’s quite a poppy chart this year. This is a shimmering, sassy number not a million miles from Saint Etienne at their best. And the bassline is total dynamite.

14. Barbara Morgenstern – Come to Berlin (Telefon Tel Aviv Mix) (2008)
Another remix that trumps the original, which in this case is downright unappealing. TTA revamp it completely and add plenty of those lovely shimmering layers of synth on the verge of distortion that permeate their latest album.

15. 52nd Street – Can’t Afford (1984)
An fantastic example of 80s groove/boogie/disco whatever you want to call it, that has New York written all over it. Surprisingly enough it turns out to be from Manchester and released on Factory Records.

16. Bogdan Irkük a.k.a. Bulgari – Everything is Changing (2008)
Bogdan Irkük is a true master of the neo disco style with his lovingly crafted productions, this one being the cream of the crop with lush shimmering strings, a wistful vocoder and rock solid bass keeping it all in check.

17. Telefon Tel Aviv – The Birds (2009)
It’s entirely possible that this tune should have ended up either higher or lower, as I only just discovered it and thus am not sure how it will mature over time. At the moment, it feels like it probably belongs higher up the list, as it consists of the same irresistibly juicy innards as their Morgenstern remix. Gorgeous.

18. Appaloosa – Intimate (2008)
More nice and fuzzy, bittersweet melanchopop from Appaloosa.

19. Dosem – Beach Kisses (Rework) (2008)
I have this as an MP3 tagged as just “Rework” but judging by a few comments on Discogs, it might actually be by Joris Voorn. Which explains a lot. It has one of those sublimely emotive reverb-drenched main hooks which totally does it for me.

20. Donna Summer – Now I Need You (1977)
A Moroder-produced Donna Summer track that had escaped my attention until this year. The chorus has the most insane chord progression I’ve ever heard. Joyously satisfying.

21. Familjen – Det lilla livet (2007)
22. Hadamard – Spiritualisation of Cruelty (2007)
23. Gold Blood – She Doesn’t Learn (2009)
24. Friday Bridge – This case is closed (Johan Agebjörn Remix) (2009)
25. Kings of the Universe – Acid Love (Radio Mix) (?)
26. Spectrasoul – Alibi (Break Remix) (2009)
27. E.R.P. – Lodestone (2009)
28. Sally Shapiro – Let It Show (2009)
29. Appaloosa – Patchwork (Demo) (2008)
30. Mobius Band – The Loving Sounds Of Static (Junior Boys Remix) (2006)
31. Hadamard – I Want To Know (2007)
32. Asobi Seksu – Me & Mary (2009)
33. Gold Blood – Another World (2009)
34. Abakus – Future Melt (2009)
35. Alisha – Baby Talk (1985)
36. Morgan Geist – 24K (2001)
37. Friendly Fires feat. Au Revoir Simone – Paris (Aeroplane Remix) (2008)
38. Annie – Anthonio (Vaughn E Remix) (2009)
39. Gold Blood – On The Run (2009)
40. Pink Rhythm – Melodies Of Love (1985)
41. Can – Future Days (Carl Craig Blade Runner Mix) (1997)
42. Klaus Schulze – Velvet Voyage (1977)
43. Koxo – Step By Step (1982)
44. Moreno – I Want To Be Your Love Today (1986)
45. Manfred Mann – Just For Me (1968)
46. Gatekeeper – Optimus Maximus (2009)
47. Kaos – Definition Of Love (1989)
48. Ada feat. Raz Ohara – Lovestoned (2009)
49. Dupont – Unknown Airspace (2004)
50. Rude 66 – Fishbait (2008)
51. Real to Reel – Love Me Like This (Floating Points Remix) (2009)
52. The Naked Hearts – Only For You (Home Video Remix) (2009)
53. Rude 66 – No One Had A Clue (2008)
54. Gavin Russom – The Fusion Point (?)
55. Keen K & Dorian E – Lost But Not Found (2007)
56. Ronnie Dyson – All Over Your Face (1983)
57. David Joseph – You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me) (1983)
58. Moderat – Seamonkey (2009)
59. Bogdan Irkük a.k.a. Bulgari – Space Reflecting On The Bosporos (2008)
60. $tinkworx – Coelacanth (2008)
61. Motiivi:Tuntematon – 1939 (2005)
62. Sally Shapiro – Miracle (2009)
63. The Supremes – Let Yourself Go (1976)
64. Spewis – First and Last (2009)
65. Mount Kimbie – Maybes (2009)
66. Hieroglyphic Being – A Time Warp Synthesizer (2006)
67. Mathew Jonson – When Love Feels Like Crying (2009)
68. Motiivi:Tuntematon – I Don’t Feel Good (When You’re Not Around) (2007)
69. Sally Shapiro – Looking At The Stars (2009)
70. Morgan Geist – The Shore (2008)
71. Bat For Lashes – Daniel (2009)
72. Gold Blood – Well City (2009)
73. Box Codax – Missed Her Kiss (2006)
74. Brassica – Ballo Dei Morti (2009)
75. The Juan Maclean – Happy House (2008)
76. Datassette – Weather Conditions (2009)
77. Beni – My Love Sees You (Classixx Remix) (2009)
78. Memory Cassette – Asleep At A Party (2009)
79. Melody Boy 2000 – Monotone Fantastique (Monotone Mix) (1994)
80. Aeroplane – Caramellas (2007)
81. Hud Mo – Ooops! (2008)
82. Larry Young’s Fuel – Turn Off The Lights (1975)
83. Rude 66 – Walked The Line (2008)
84. Lime – You’re My Magician (1981)
85. J.M. Silk – Shadows Of Your Love (Ben Liebrand Minimix) (1986)
86. Erstlaub – Broadcasting on Ghost Frequencies (Part 1) (2009)
87. Meek Rabbit – Sweetheart in England (1984)
88. Kettel – Palle’s Popsong (2008)
89. Lazer Crystal – Love Rhombus (Instrumental) (?)
90. Kemal – Mutationz (Part 3) (2001)
91. Svreca – Eye (Hadamard Remix) (2009)
92. Kettel – The Wombat (2008)
93. Depeche Mode – Peace (2009)
94. Deadmau5 & Kaskade – I Remember (2008)
95. DJ Guy – Freak It All Night (2009)
96. Saint Etienne – Method Of Modern Love (Cola Boy Mix) (2009)
97. Ndesh – Jetdaisuke FTW!!! (2009)
98. Cestrian – Mentor (2007)
99. Kris Menace presents Fred Falke – Fairlight (2006)
100. Xeno and Oaklander – Cold Forever (2007)

I should point out that large parts of this are lifted from an earlier mix I made called Stories from the Dystopian Border, so if you already heard that, this will be familiar territory. There’s quite a few new additions though, and more of a focus on the electro/techno/house side of things.

Ranging from abstract soundscapes to miserablist electro to deep space techno to jacking robot grooves, from rainy city streets to derelict industrial zones on the off-world colonies of Alpha Centauri, it’s an intense journey through the darker regions of the electronic dance music spectrum. It’s music that harbours a deep nostalgia for the future.

Download: Erik XVI – En handfull mörker

Tracklisting

1. Edgard Varèse – Poème Electronique
2. Anthony Rother – Databank/Nuklearer Winter
3. Erik XVI – Gravitationskraftens stilla stråkar
4. Anthony Rother – Protektor
5. Panasonic – Uranokemia / Orgue Electronique – Die Liebe ist die größte Kraft
6. Mr. Clavio – Keine Gnade für die sechste
7. Rude 66 – Die Stärke der vernichtenden Schläge / I.B.M. – Kill Bill
8. Front 242 – Neurobashing
9. Erik XVI – Unionens sista dagar
10. Kraftwerk – It’s More Fun To Compute
11. Dopplereffekt – Hyperelliptic Surfaces
12. Legowelt – Hazy City Nights
13. Popular Computer – Next Level Pope
14. Hieroglyphic Being – A Time Warp Synthesizer / Gold Blood – She Doesn’t Learn
15. Atheus – Quadradelay
16. Erik XVI – Gravitationskraftens stilla vrede
17. Domina – Domina (Maurizio Mix)
18. Neil Landstrumm feat. The Horrorist – The Boy Who Held His Breath Too Long
19. Gladio – Slave of Rome
20. Gladio – Gladio Will Survive
21. Audion – Just Fucking / Kraftwerk – Uranium
22. Hadamard – Spiritualisation of Cruelty
23. I-F – I Do Because I Couldn’t Care Less / Fliehende Stürme – Kleines Herz
24. Hardfloor – The Trill Acid Theme (E.R.P. Remix)
25. E.R.P. – Vox Automaton
26. Adam Beyer – Patches
27. Drexciya – Black Sea
28. Anthony Rother – Maschinenwelt (Live)

20jazzfunkgreats summarised a thoroughly surreal but enthusiastic review of Kalabaliken i Bender with the words:

It’s pure gold – perhaps the gnarliest piece of dark rumbling colossal euro-techno I’ve heard since Motivii Tuntenaton’s 1939.

I’d never heard of Motivii Tuntenaton before reading this, but having listened to the track, I have to say it’s not a bad reference point at all. Chugging, slomo, bass-heavy tech house with atmospherics aplenty, although it’s maybe a tad closer to the Border Community sound than my stuff.

A nicely well-informed and pretty spot-on review from Sonic Minefield concludes with the words:

The Stern-Gerlachs Försök EP is a quality listen with plenty of retro electro fun to be had.

Warren Ellis liked the cover and said about Gravitationskraftens stilla vrede:

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s my favourite piece on the release.

DEZ at Music, Musings and Miscellany also preferred the last two tracks and wrote:

It reminds me of a dystopian version of Middlesbrough’s vast chemical works. Both it and its companion piece are superbly visual tracks.

But I think my favourite comment has to be Zen from Nomad Radio’s succinct and to the point endorsement:

I’ve got it. It’s fucking mint.

Tracks have also been featured on Bleep43, Paradigm Shift and Are Friends Electric podcasts among others. A good start I think.

It’s a deep, underwater take adding some brilliant synth work and raw analogue stylings.

Download it here: Erik XVI – Unionens sista dagar (Ali Renault Trill Rmx)

There are also some masterful mixes by Brassica, Gravious, Hot City and TVO in the pipeline.

I’ve always been a huge consumer of music, and would never attempt to call my efforts original. It is very much an amalgamation of influences I have accumulated over the years, and I would like to use this blog to highlight some of those sources of inspiration and how they came to shape the music of Erik XVI.

The first track to get finished was Unionens sista dagar. It came about through listening to a live set by Johan Inkinen and thinking how great and at the same time slightly cringy it was that he was making Drexciya-style electro with Swedish vocals on top. So I hooked a mic up to the ESX and started playing around with the effects, enjoying the results enough that I wrote my first ever lyrics and got them recorded. As the rest of the elements gradually fell into place, the following tracks played a big part in inspiring the final product:

• It’s More Fun To Compute by Kraftwerk for the synth lines
• Black Sea by Drexciya and Stadtkind by Ellen Allien for the general structure, build and feel
• Slave of Rome by Gladio and Solaris by Photek for the drums
• Ali Renault’s Valentine for the bassline
• Make the World Go Away by The Hasbeens for the vocodered chorus
• Vox Automaton by E.R.P. for the string progression towards the end

Next up was Kalabaliken i Bender, which could almost as well have been called A Tribute to Legowelt. I was always hugely impressed by the primitive but dramatic atmospheres he manages to create in tracks like Congo Zombie, The Night Must Fall, A Dark Land etc. I had an old 16-bar arpeggiated sequence lying around from before and liked the chord progression enough to base a track around it. These are the most direct influences:

• Congo Zombie and many others by Legowelt for the “Barbarian” parallel 5ths and assorted melodic phrases towards the end
• Bogdan Irkük’s remix of Jens Lekman’s Sipping on the Sweet Nectar for the arpeggio in the first breakdown
• A lot of Gladio again in the drums

A while ago I was sent a link to this amazing YouTube video which features an audio recording of the space shuttle taking off. The sound is incredibly visceral and the idea of basing a track around it was irresistible. This became Gravitationskraftens stilla vrede. The melodies here are crafted out of the launcher sounds with the help of some resonators and credit is due to the following:

• Domina (Maurizio Mix) by Domina for the drums
• March by Hjarnidaudi, Keine gnade für die Sechste by Mr. Clavio and Helicopter by Covenant for the desolate melody lines
• Home Computer by Kraftwerk for the staccato bassline

Because I felt the jam-packed finished version didn’t give enough exposure to the launch recording in all its grandeur, I also made an ambient version where the launch and the force of gravity take centre stage.

The EP is scheduled for a digital release through the Highpoint Lowlife label on the magical date of 09.09.09 and you can listen to it here or buy it here should you feel so inclined.