Includes alternate version of 'Seduction' with Emika** Berghain big man, Marcel Dettmann, further refines a hypnotic, powerful techno sound on his sophomore album. 'II' is subtly advanced and expanded from his eponymous debut thanks to a more spacious sound design and the additional input of guest collaborations with Levon Vincent, Shed and Emika. It's equally an immersive listen on headphones and brimming with heavyweight tools for the DJs. Unfortunately we haven't got hulking great Funktion 1 stacks in the office but thru headphones the increased attention to detail is brought into sharper focus where it counts. Of the twelve tracks three are best considered as bridges; pieces of noise sculpture and abstract interference, whilst the Levon Vincent collaboration 'Outback' is a 2 minute techno-romantic vignette at the album's apex. The other eight tracks are for the 'floor, ranging from the signature, purist minimalism of 'Throb' and 'Ductil' to the Basic Channel-esque 'Lightworks', whilst the shifty syncopation of 'Soar' and the etheric appearance of Emika on 'Seduction' successfully temper other templates. But, arguably the best of the lot is the parting shot produced with Rene Pawlowitz, 'Aim', a strong peaktime anthem imparting a crucial emotional impact that seals the deal.
