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12"
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TRESOR 365EP
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As with their three previous releases on Tresor (Dualism, Refreshing Part 1, and Dreams) for Love Letter, Fireground have created a heady melange of styles of techno synonymous with the turn of the century with such outrageous elan and jubilation that they practically embody the musical term giocoso: "We had the 'summer' concept in mind from the beginning, this pushed us to create a message in our sound making it uplifting and engaging, capable of conveying a positive, romantic and warm vibe. In our productions we always give priority to the harmonic parts such as melodies, pads, piano and guitar riffs, the peculiarity of this EP is that all the tracks were born first from these elements, and only at the end the groove was crafted, not due to a difference in importance, rather to ensure that the rhythmic part paid as much respect as possible to the harmonic part." This decision to build upwards from the harmonics has paid dividends: the entrance of a string section provokes visions of a rapt club crowd cheering with exultation; a looped groove stimulates a connection to such gleeful nostalgia that is almost certain to be heard at many festivals in coming months; a blissful pad sweeps over a track like the first rays of sun in the morning; a filtered synth rises to be met with a xylophone-like countermelody -- every track has a moment where the music overflows with some form of happiness. Together the collection promises, and perhaps even delivers, a summer both ecstatic and joyful.
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12"
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TRESOR 352EP
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The phrase "concept album" brings to mind long and complicated works by '60s rock bands or rap magna opera destined to be pored over by Dissect podcast. But what if the concept is based on a simple conceit? With Refreshing Part 1, their third EP and first vinyl release on Tresor, Fireground soundtrack an imaginary night spent at the Kraftwerk building on Köpenicker Straße, moving between the smoke-filled basement of Tresor and the bass-heavy loft of Globus. Opening piece, "Never Sleep", has long been a feature of the Fireground live set and evolved over many months before reaching its final form in something of a "eureka" moment during a performance in Tresor. The track kicks off the EP with a hint to techno classic "Knights of the Jaguar" before quickly carving its own path through the foliage. The tribal leitmotif continues on second track, "Gaze", which again has subtle nods to classics whilst showcasing the duo's ability to bring new life to '90s house and techno tropes. "Obsession" dispenses with any pretense and gets right down to business from the opening second: Inspired by the Tresor dancefloor "when it reaches its peak; the strobe lights together with the smoke become so intense that for a few moments you can't see anything and completely abandon yourself to your sense of hearing." A counterpoint to the finessed "Never Sleep", "Obsession" was recorded live with minimal post-production this track finds Fireground at their rawest and most uncompromising. As if needing a spot of fresh air after the ferocity of "Obsession", the second half of the EP leaves the dense and smoky atmosphere behind and ascends towards the sky beginning with "Driving Stars"; lighter though this may be there's no loss of drive. Penultimate track "Into A Diamond" finds Fireground floating ever-upwards propelled by elements of jazz including a gorgeous electric piano solo that recall the airy mid-90s UK house of labels like Nuphonic, Heavenly, Faze Action, and Soma.
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