Like the other artists on BANK Records NYC, the Canadian producer Rita Mikhael comes at techno with gleeful irreverence. Each new record removes some grit, and Dedicated To Sublimity, Mikhael's second release for the label, is among her most polished yet. That said, it's still pretty damn punk-ish. "Brunette Cistern" has a swift and nimble sound that lands halfway between early Jeff Mills and L.I.E.S.-style hardware techno, with fidgety percussion that adds an extra jolt of energy.
There's aggression here but the textures are clear and, in some cases, the melodies more present. "Viper" begins as a jackhammering nightmare but eventually settles into a recognizable techno beat. Gut-punching but functional, it's like something that might appear on Nina Kraviz's Trip label. "Reputation," on the other hand, doesn't sit still, stretching and bursting samples like experimental club music. Theatrical handclaps sound like they're ripping open a portal to another dimension.
Mikhael dips into experimental techno, which supplies the EP's most thrilling moments. "Glass Wing," with its stuttering broken beat and cinematic melody, is a highlight, while "Strive For Action" focuses on the unnerving space between its slow but jittery drums. "Your Hole" ends the EP with more slo-mo action, including the record's noisiest, most glitchy drum pattern. Dedicated To Sublimity is Mikhael at her most approachable without sacrificing the DIY spirit.
| A1 | Brunette Cistern |
| A2 | Glass Wing |
| A3 | Reputation |
| B1 | Strive For Action |
| B2 | Viper |
| B3 | Your Hole |
