{"product_id":"christopher-rau-the-keys","title":"Christopher Rau – The Keys","description":"\u003cp\u003eChristopher Rau marks his return to Smallville Records in March with ‘\u003cem\u003eThe Keys\u003c\/em\u003e‘ – four chugging tracks produced with impeccably deep dreamscapes, atmospheres and the vibe you’d expect from the distinguished producer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eThe Keys\u003c\/em\u003e‘ follows Rau’s sublime ‘Yamato‘ EP, released four years ago on Julius Steinhoff and Just von Ahlefeld label. It is a worthy follow up, primed for the club and home listening. Cover artwork by Stefan Marx. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/inverted-audio.com\/christopher-rau-marks-return-to-smallville-records-with-the-keys\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eInverted Audio\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e—\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Slu Terms,\" the B1 on this new EP from Christopher Rau, has plenty of what I've always liked about him. The German is, by and large, a deep house producer. You can hear this in the synths, chords and atmospheres he has used in his music for the past ten years, and it's there in the watercolour moods of \"Slu Terms.\" Accompanying these sounds are often drums of uncommon brawn. The melodies and drums become synched in a dance of equal and opposing energies, and it's this dance that defines most of \u003cem\u003eThe Keys\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"I am a bit surprised about this record,\" says a fella named MihuT on Discogs, who's reacting to the hard, stuttered beat on \"Who Am I.\" We don't have to wait long for the salve, though, as electric piano chords and keys blossom over the track. Rau maintains this poised balance, so for every nettle-like percussion part there's a sonic dock leaf of pads or keys. \"Beamer\" is a crisp techno cut with a little Shed-style heaviness that's offset with springtime vibes. \u003cem\u003eThe Keys\u003c\/em\u003e is also techy but is the only one that doesn't explore a push-pull effect. Rau seems increasingly interested in pivoting to techno although the standout here, \"Slu Terms,\" is the one most in line with his more traditional styling. — (via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ra.co\/reviews\/25029\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eResident Advisor\u003c\/a\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"\" height=\"\" style=\"border: 0; width: 400px; height: 274px;\" src=\"https:\/\/bandcamp.com\/EmbeddedPlayer\/album=2761728162\/size=large\/bgcol=ffffff\/linkcol=0687f5\/artwork=small\/transparent=true\/\" seamless=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e↓\u003cbr\u003eLabel: Smallville Records\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Vinyl, 12\"\u003cbr\u003eReleased: 2020\u003cbr\u003eGenre: Electronic\u003cbr\u003eStyle: House\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFile under: House \/ Electro \/ Techno\u003cbr\u003e⦿\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Smallville Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47509060092062,"sku":"4260544825149","price":60.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0584\/5434\/3838\/files\/a1815042224_10.jpg?v=1780640906","url":"https:\/\/theanalogvault.com\/products\/christopher-rau-the-keys","provider":"The Analog Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}