Alex Kassian continues his quest to never make a bad record (spoiler alert he has failed again). This time teaming up with Hiroaki Oba for a second run out as Opal Sunn, coming almost a year after their first release together on Test Pressing, ‘Elastic’. It takes a similar approach insomuch as it’s a three movement affair. Each take on the track bringing a different feeling and mood to the fore, stretching the boundaries of possibility within the constraints of the central idea.

‘Phase I’ is the upside, on the surface a driving dance track par excellence. But dig a little deeper and the layers of sound and rhythm are many. No beat is misplaced, its studied evolution just keeps on giving. Make no mistake, this is the sound of two producers on top of their game. A perfect balance of intensity and subtlety.

The second phase strips out the four four to push the mood into dubbier places. Spacious echoes and reverb are the key elements at play. Then there’s that piano break, puncturing the darker intensity with something that’s pure and heartbreaking. ‘Phase III’ pares everything back to a quieter, more tranquil place. Ambient sweeps set the tone for a cushioned landing at the end of the trip. Three sides of hypnotic deepness, intensity, depth and reflection.

Liquid is available now via the TP BC.