Lost in Reality by Metro Riders - Possible Motive [PMLP17] FLAC download included with physical items
PMLP17:
PMLP17:
PMLP17:

Lost in Reality

Metro Riders

A 8 track leftfield/idm album (37m 1s) — released September 29th 2023 on Possible Motive

#electronic #leftfield-idm

A pungent ooze emanates from the subway. As a sticky drum machine sequence rolls out like thick dark fog, ice cold synth swirls rise from the depths.

Since the debut album Europe By Night, one of the main references associated with Henrik Stelzer and his Metro Riders project has been that of cinema, and particularly the European genre films of the 1980s. With its seedy subject matters manifesting both in visual style and music, the vibe of that era has crystallized over time. Passed down to us from deteriorating video cassettes, it became an invaluable key to decoding our present day reality.

And this is true for this album as well; Stelzer does not hide the fact that he builds heavily on that vibe; referencing it through track titles and utilizing a particular recording setup consisting of a Fostex and a reel to reel in order to achieve and recreate the feeling of those soundtracks — as heard on magnetic tape rather than vinyl.

The motion picture soundtrack as an arbitrary genre definition becomes, in the hands of Stelzer, a pair of X-ray specs for him to envision a kind of music that deals in grains and contrasts rath- er than hooks and choruses. And like Roddy Piper in John Carpenter's 1988 film They Live, he hands those glasses over for us to see the true face of our times.

On Lost In Reality Metro Riders maps out an emotional geography of the cities at night, wherein the cinematic haze becomes a tool by which we can view the cities with new eyes. Not steering away from the darker alleys nor the harsh realities of modern day politics masquerading as progress. Yet escapism, in the end, seems the only viable option. But not as an endgame, but rather a stepping stone for building a new vocabulary for an utopian language.

Captures the crude textures and shadows of modern Europe’s night-scapes, from the warehouses of Berlin to the graffitied streets of Athens, and assembles them into a deliciously menacing yet dreamy soundtrack at once nostalgic and forward-looking. - The AV Club

Dreamy atmospheric tunes - DJ Alex KEXP

High grade ‘80s soundtrack noir from Henrik Stelzer’s Metro Riders, going on like early James Ferraro or 1991 channelling John Carpenter. - Boomkat

Like your favorite vintage German experimental electro-pop pioneers (think Kluster, Harmonia, NEU!, etc), well appointed usage of synth textures & arrangements make for soundscapes that transport the mind to new settings & surroundings that seem straight of your cult favorites or all the foreign films you’ve never seen (not to mention all the ones that have yet to be made). - Sjimon Gompers Impose Magazine

There’s a certain cinematic feeling that can’t be called film noir because there’s too much graffiti on the train, but the shadows are long nonetheless. And then in comes that synth, and somehow the beat the goes along with it isn’t quite for dancing, but seems more in rhythm with the pulsing of your heart as danger lurks. - Alec Coiro Ravelin Magazine

... the opening notes quite literally sound like the opening of a new-age classic 80s film. Synth chords craft a wonderous and spellbinding atmosphere that feels like a journey well into the night, fit for the next season of Stranger Things. - Will Oliver We All Want Someone To Shout For

... an enticing and atmospheric collection of music that draws both musical and aesthetic inspiration from the suspense and horror world. - Volume 1 Brooklyn

  • Kudos happily ship all items worldwide.
  • Shipping costs and delivery times are available here.
  • UK items are sent tracked as standard at no extra cost.
  • We aim to dispatch orders placed before 2pm on the same day.
  • We are unable to ship orders on weekends or Bank Holidays.
  • If you purchase a pre-order item amongst an order of in-stock releases, we will typically hold your order until all items are in ready to send.
  • Although we use all reasonable means to ensure that your order is delivered within a specified time, we cannot accept any responsibility for late deliveries due to circumstances outside of our control. We will do our best to inform you of any unexpected delay.