(2021) Toki Fuko - Human Design


Review:
If anyone thought Russian artist Toki Fuko‘s atmospheric style of techno wasn’t deep enough already, his new album for Lowless will put that right. The tracks are all between eight and 12 minutes long and feature spiritual audio teachings from American-born healer (and popular podcaster) Gangaji. Drop one of these at the right moment and you might change someone’s life. Lush, psychedelic techno — the kind Toki Fuko dishes out on specialist labels like Silent Season — is already spiritual by nature, evoking introspective mind states and slow-release euphoria. The beats on Human Design are strong examples of how affecting it can be: sleek, modern and perfectly crafted techno grooves that ooze sophistication. Spring-loaded percussion and depth charge basslines worm their way into your entire being. The first few tracks pick up where the last left off, as if cut from a live set, and then take the sound in a new direction. The stuttering rhythm of “Focused And Absorbing,” is a highlight, and the peak of the album’s energy. “Being Yourself” is another, on a more downtempo tip. They’re so powerful on their own that you might question whether they need the lyrics at all. The record’s only instrumental track, “Convey Sense of a Being,” makes a convincing case that they don’t. Toki Fuko processes Gangaji’s comforting philosophy into breathy whispers, which are generously spread on top of the rhythms. In some parts, the words, drums and atmospheres gel effortlessly into a potent blend. Usually, it’s when the tracks break down and the kick drum relinquishes some space. In other parts, like “Recognize Your Limitations,” the vocals and the punchy rhythms are at indulgent odds. All told, it’s an adventurous, well-executed concept album. Respect to Toki Fuko for switching things up, even if it gets a little saccharine at times.





Track Listing:
1.What will enlightenment give me 08:36
2.Freedom and desire 07:40
3.Recognize your limitations 09:18
4.Focused ad absorbing 09:47
5.Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 09:35
6.Convey sense of a being 10:18
7.Being yourself 11:30
8.Experiences and perceptions 08:03


Media Report:
Genre: ambient, electronic
Format: FLAC
Format/Info: Free Lossless Audio Codec, 16-bit PCM
Bit rate mode: Variable
Channel(s): 2 channels
Sampling rate: 44.1 KHz
Bit depth: 16 bits