Between Sand and Roses is the first solo EP by Italian artist CONCEPTUAL on the Non Series sublabel Nwhite, which is run by acclaimed Spanish DJ and producer Psyk. After the joint debut by Sciahri and CONCEPTUAL on Non Series with their Ritmo Oscuro release, this time — more than a year later — CONCEPTUAL steps forward alone with five new tracks, successfully unfolding his astute version of techno, dense yet textured, rugged yet minimal, always aimed at keen mental horizons.
The title track, “Between Sand and Roses“, drives forward with an unrelenting pulse and electrifying metallic bursts, shaping an industrial-tinged sphere built for firm, no-nonsense techno. “Suspicious Move” is highly immersive, capturing the dance floor with raw energy, leaving little room for breath and tapping directly into the adrenaline of motion. “Take Your Time to Understand” gravitates toward deep techno territory, built around a sonic architecture designed to lock onto the mind’s hypnotic patterns. In the same vein, “Dextrose” stands out for its dive into deep low-end frequencies, radiating a melodic magnetism characteristic of the genre. The EP closes with “Tense Oblivion,” a short, unsettling landing track that brushes against stridency while remaining quietly captivating.
With this first solo release on Non Series following appearances on Oscar Mulero’s PoleGroup and Warm Up, Svreca’s Semantica, to Lewis Fautzi’s Faut Section, CONCEPTUAL cements himself as as a key producer. Offering a sharp, coherent vision, one that moves fluidly between the dance floor, the genre’s tradition, and creative experimentation, this is a defining collection of original works.
- Reviewed by Vanity Dust for deathtechno.com
