Review Summary: 1 part dark, 2 parts mellow, and awesome all the way through
Gui Boratto is a Brazilian electronic music producer, best known for his 2007 debut LP
Chromophobia, as well as a variety of remixes including a famous rendition of
Massive Attack’s “Paradise Circus”. He has developed notoriety both in Brazil and throughout the world for a distinctive brand of minimalistic techno, which doubles as music that might be heard at a club and music that might be heard in a lounge. His usual style, consisting of quick paced, simple and non-threatening high pitched electronic sounds gives him an easy to listen to and lighter vibe.
Which is why
III is such a unique release for him. Uncharacteristically, Boratto has turned to more bass driven tracks and darker tones. During “Striker”, the dark tones are backed by almost menacing-sounding vocals, adding depth and a different kind of complexity than we’ve come to expect from the Brazilian DJ. Feelings of helplessness and despair are evoked throughout the front half of the album, and he effectively captivates listeners as if he had always created this kind of music.
We see a return of sorts to the high pitched cheery beats at times, notably during “Flying Practice,” but he manages to be most effective when he forms a marriage between his old style and new. The pulsing low beat of “The Drill”, when coupled with a fast paced percussion showcases this best, rising yet lulling in a kind of eerie harmony. But in “Soledad,”Boratto shows off an even greater amount of complexity by taking a soft-smooth beat and boiling it feverishly high, evoking an almost manic peacefulness.
By the time he leaves us with the closing message, “Only Heaven knows that this is not the end”, we have been taken every which way, succumbing to the whims of one of the most talented DJs today. Though his change of pace is a little unsettling and harder to grasp, this is a fascinating record that only improves the more you let it sink its teeth in you.
4.1 / 5
