The first tastes of Rune Reilly Kölsch's second album for Kompakt were delivered on the Cologne label's 79th and 84th volumes of the 12"
Speicher series, released respectively in June 2014 and April 2015. "Cassiopeia," "DerDieDas," and "Two Birds" hinted that
1983 would offer more of the producer's melodic, uplifting techno. The first of that bunch was made all the more dramatic by strings from
Gregor Schwellenbach, the musician who previously reinterpreted a batch of Kompakt label favorites for
Spielt 20 Jahre Kompakt. The collaboration wasn't a one-and-done deal, as
1983 contains a couple additional tracks intensified by
Schwellenbach's handiwork. The most energetic
Schwellenbach-
Kölsch joint work, the jubilant and rush-generating "The Road," seems to be the track that most emotively reflects the producer's wistful view of bright-eyed childhood road trips from his native Denmark to France.
Kölsch remains partial to gradual escalations in intensity that reach an apex just short of gaudy; just about every track features one in some form. While it takes some deep, repeated listening for each track to reveal its distinctive qualities, the lack of big "wait for it, wait for it" moments fosters a fluidity that gives it an edge over 1977. Apart from the opening and closing tracks -- an ambient but pulse-quickening intro and an atmospheric remix of
Speicher 79 A-side "Papageno," featuring a reverbed, tremulous vocal from
WhoMadeWho's WAA Industry -- the album is all about comfort and steady, forward motion. ~ Andy Kellman