BARNT Vinyl & CDs

Review: Barnt returns for a weighty, new wavey three-tracker on Kompakt, not quite straying from his trademark minimal tech style, but nevertheless working in novel elements. 'This Is For The Decor Only' is a glistening ambient trance cut, working in detuned leads and melodic 'woahs' (woah indeed), while 'You Know What's Gone' recalls everything from mid-80s body music, new romantic dance, and medieval music. 'Fan' is the ambient closer, revealing the producer's musical talents far beyond that of mere dance music. As Barnt says, he wanted to touch on a "ceremonial, emotional, grand spirit", and he's achieved just that.

Review: Speicher 125 is the upcoming split EP by German producers and DJs Barnt and Michael Mayer, forming part of the Speicher series, one of Kompakt's many V/A serials. This is music for peaktime dancefloor servicing; 'Teller' and 'Duration' are minimal, intense hooverers, reminiscent of later DJ Koze tracks and/or film soundtrack techno. The B, too, comes in true Barnt style, throwing organic bells and knocks into a beguiling mix.