An intriguing electronic sound, balancing nocturnal intrigue and infectious danceability, enamors on Saniel Woods‘ new album Techno Village. Based in Wängi, Switzerland, the artist excels with an inventive and atmospheric prowess throughout. Woods crafted the album alongside his girlfriend SpacePea, in a stable that he converted into a studio. SpacePea’s vocal additions can be heard throughout — from the moans on “Black Sea” to the whispers within “Strange Planet” — and prove stellar in accompanying Woods’ riveting soundscapes.
Commencing the album, “Black Sea” expands from grimy, minimalistic pulses into spacey synth illumination — while percussive wisps and reverbed vocal salutations weave in. A sensual character emits from the vocal work, combining with the techno-ready electronic steadiness for visions of a late-night dance club. Elsewhere, “Neptune” balances otherworldly synth swells with concise, punchier keys and reflective rhythms; the album proves consistently compelling in its dynamics between hauntingly spacious atmospheres and more tightly contagious danceability.
Another standout arises in “Towelie.” Embracing a brisk techno vigor, the hypnotic rhythms, crawling bass line, and glimmering synth tones combine with sporadic vocal samples for a palpable sense of momentum. Album finale “Limitless” resembles a radio-dial switching between channels with its in-and-out vocal sampling, eventually attaining a crisply head-nodding allure in its electro-forward drive. Techno Village is an inventive electronic success from Saniel Woods.
—
“Black Sea” is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Electronic.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
