Octopus Recordings have always maintained a decidedly underground aesthetic, regardless of whether they’ve been pushing techno or house through their channels. The label has packed a lot into its 7-or-so years, a fact that comes to light when you consider some of the talent that’s perked up on it over the years, with everyone from Gui Boratto to John Tejada to label head Sian forming part of its modus operandi. For the label’s latest inclination, they switch their attention to Australia, the land of Barbuto, a producer for whom the magnificent Arcana marks his debut outing on the label. It’s ‘Arcana’ itself that gets us underway, and it’s immediately obvious that Barbuto isn’t just here to make up the numbers, as he unleashes a sonic maelstrom of otherworldly synths and cosmic tidbits on our receptive earlobes. Dark and industrial, it’s imbued with a sense of foreboding menace that means it’s sure to work a treat in the sets of Adam Beyer & his Drumcode posse especially. Next up we have the similar astute threads of ‘Twilight Imperium’. This one is built around more of a groove, with lashing of white noise and an unconventional series of twists marking it out as a track of some class. Either way, this is a solid two tracker that fans of the discerning side of tech-house are sure to fawn over…
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ian Fleming
