Born Sad - Luxus Varta (In Abstracto)

Title: Born Sad

Artist: Luxus Varta

Label: In Abstracto

Cat Number: IA01

Genre: Electro

1: Fade Away

2: Souls

3: Drop Out

4: Fade Away (Maelstrom Remix)

The name ‘Luxus Varta’ drips with bittersweet, inner city distortion, as does this release. The three original offerings appear to be built on shaky foundations, but manage to hold their ground. That is to say their collective cognitive dissonance holds sway against the odds. ‘Souls’ feels like space age Thelonius Monk, each chord jars against the other but the result is somehow magical. I’m not as sold on ‘Fade Away’; its emptiness has charm, but it feels like it could do with a few extra bpms. It’s big sky/deserted beach music incarnate; I’ll have it in my headphones next time I visit Holkham Hall. Maeltsrom reinterprets it as an urgent, electro cut, full of insect menace. ‘Drop Out’ weaponises discord dramatically and maybe captures the concept of this release best. Mr Varta really does need to lighten up though. Maybe look at some puppy gifs?