VA - Familiar Faces Nº2 (2018)

So here we are with Riotvan's second installment of the "Familiar Faces", showcasing what's happening with the label these days (a lot), making label-residents shake hands and welcome affiliated folks to the syndicate. Although this is a 'various artists'-format, the here gathered stylistic approaches and track-turned mindsets make a strikingly coherent body of work. Just another evidence of how Riotvan has evolved into a renowned think tank of likeminded artists and indicator of state of the art sonic bliss.

Kicking off we find Perel immersing in yet another synth-driven stream, seeking continuation to her latest, widely praised full length-cycle, but this time bypassing Venus or rather "Super Venus" while floating off to other otherworldly dimensions.

Next in line are Black Spuma, i.e. Lauer and Fabrizio Mammarella, demonstrating via "Drumbaeck" what a match in Neo-Disco-heaven they are. A highly energetic beat, laying the grounding for a cheerful synth-hook and harmonies you won't get out of your head anytime soon.

Same goes for "Tropical Redux", the follow up by none other than Panthera Krause. A particularly elated affair, carried out by a funked up bassline and a catchy string-theme, sticking its neck out in Disco-realms, while maintaining a primetime-adjusted groove.

At this point it's about time for a premiere. Say hi to New Hook, an all-female power-force with their debut release. "FXART" comes as a well-versed exercise in reviving frigid 80ies leanings with a contemporary urgency and attitude. And that's just a glimpse on what's to come from Linda, Ilka and Juliane.

Chinaski, definitely no stranger to the Riotvan family, is taking on the 80ies vibe and hands in "Zeichen der Zeit", an unhasting ride through various galaxies, combining nostalgic synth-aesthetics with spaced out futurism.

Closing things off, it's label-mainstay Jennifer Touch cutting deep with "Bleed", an almost existentially emotive composition, exploring spiritual abysses lyrically, re-modelling emotional chaos within the overtones of the arrangement and even trimming things down to physical functionality within the track's progression.

"Familiar Faces Nº2" will be out end of October 5th on Vinyl and digital formats, both being distributed by Muting The Noise. Artwork courtesy of Karen from Studio M21N.