06 July 2012

Modeselektor is an electronic music band formed in Berlin, featuring Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary. The group draws heavily from IDM, glitch, electro and hip hop. In an interview the group said regarding their sound: "Happy metal, hard rap, country-ambient, Russian crunk. We don’t like it if people tag us as being a certain style or school or scene or whatever. We don’t really care about all that." With the second volume of what seems set to become an ongoing series from the duo's flagship label, the Modeselektor boys have compiled 18 exclusive tracks that go from bass music to techno to glitch to juke to what are essentially experimental electronic works, and they've managed to do so without the typically schizo, jarring qualities that often plague label compilations. Yet the main building block is techno, albeit not a straightforward approach. Techno and bass excursions may be obvious inclusions here, but electronic music's experimental side has also become prominent part of the Monkeytown sound, particularly since the label signed Mouse on Mars last year. The veteran producers recontextualize Chicago footwork as a sort of jazzy, 8-bit juke workout with their contribution, "Humoslab." Not every track is a winner, but the depth and breadth of artists, scenes, locales, and musical movements showcased here is not only impressive, but also serves as an indication of what a credible tastemaking unit Modeselektor is. Take a listen to Sudaka Invasor here, with guests, Frikstailers. Buy your copy of Modeselektor's Modeselektor Proudly Presents Modeselektions Vol 2 here.