Glaskin – Blue Light (CROWD009)

Artist: Glaskin | Release: Blue Light | Label: Crowd Records (CROWD009)

Munich-based duo Glaskin, comprised of Jonathan and Ferdinand Bockelmann, have established themselves as pivotal voices in modern techno. Following their residency at the legendary Blitz Club and acclaimed releases on labels like Hotflush, the duo now delivers a powerful statement on the ever-expanding CROWD family. The Blue Light EP is a focused four-track statement, seamlessly merging stripped-down flair with shimmering, forward-thinking textures.

This EP is a masterclass in sophisticated club utility, showcasing Glaskin’s ability to create immersive, high-impact music that rewards both deep listening and relentless dancing. It firmly solidifies the duo’s reputation for crafting techno that is both functional and profoundly atmospheric, making it a perfect addition to any discerning DJ’s arsenal.

Track Breakdown

1. Blue Light

Initiates the EP with an elegant, deep dub-techno foundation. This is club music that is both high in energy and meticulously rhythmic, managing a sophisticated, variable constant rhythm. The track features subtle rave accents and is engineered for peak utility, delivering richly layered, dynamic sonic sections.

2. Captcha

With Captcha, the duo confidently plunges into darker territory. The track is built on smooth, progressive rhythmic shifts that make it deeply compelling on the dance floor while simultaneously inviting close structural listening. It rewards the dedicated listener with satisfying “stops and starts” (breaks and drops), adding a layer of structural enjoyment to its sinister groove.

3. Tape

Emerge as another floor-focused weapon driven by a dark, relentless groove. The rhythms and percussive elements are layered gradually, enhancing the track’s structure and elegance. The renewed dub touch is crucial here, providing essential texture and a structural backbone that feeds the groove at all the right moments.

4. Prophat Tool Board

Closes the EP with a pure “Berlin sound” aesthetic, with a pronounced dub sensibility. It serves as a strong culmination of the Munich duo’s work. The track is built on precise hi-hats that accentuate the forward progression of a strongly present hypnotic sound, ensuring the listener remains locked into its deep, cyclical rhythm.

The Verdict

Glaskin’s Blue Light is a concise, yet potent, statement. It fuses the raw groove of stripped-back techno with the structural sophistication expected from a duo with classical and jazzy roots. It is a demonstration of how techno can be cerebral and physical at the same time, without sacrificing either quality.

This EP is an essential listening for those who believe that techno should be both functional and intellectually stimulating, marking Glaskin as producers who perfectly understand the balance between the dance floor and advanced sound design.