Alone

By: Enola
Label: Initial Cuts
Written by: R_EXile
Rating: 9/10


Part of the French techno duo Noirdegout, Enola aka Matthieu Monnin has released a breathtaking solo artist album entitled Alone on Initial Cuts. Catalysed by the magical touch of the Frenchman, this long player sees the perfect coupling of techno and house: not only does it capture the dark and cold edge of techno via the clinical techno rhythm, but it also delivers the emotive and resonating characters of (progressive) house via the complex melodic structures. 
 
"It’s all coming from my heart really, the melody is what drives all the tracks. I’m trying to tell a story with my emotions, I hope some people will follow them too," says Enola. Whilst deep grooves and emotive melodies can be found everywhere, the best quality showcased in the album is its exhilarating diversity that keeps the listener overwhelmed. 
 
Having released in the form of an EP, Words In A Bottle is a brilliantly crafted prog/techno hybrid. Built around crisp techy beats with slices of cold vox drizzled on top, this track features constantly complicating melodic layers which generate a driving yet deep and psychedelic groove. The interweaving of melodies and psychedelic flavour are reminiscent of progressive house, but the track sounds fresh and upfront.
 
Whilst the cinematic quality of Words In A Bottle would be perfect for the early stage of a set, The A Trip would, as its name suggests, work very well whenever a trippy moment is needed. Growing subtly from the beginning, the gradual infiltrations of FX twisted synths and stabs into the techy kicks and hi-hats are delightfully hypnotic; and by the track progresses to the middle, a spine-tingling, sublime soundscape is woven.
 
Arguably the most eclectic track in the album, Sarah has suspenseful synths and solid breakbeat as the foundation, and dark but ear-catching vocals as well as driving melodies propelling the track through the atmospheric sonic space; what they generate altogether is a ritualistic and spiritual sonic experience.
 
Highly influenced by the techno in the '90s, Enola also created Lascive, an affair that has a throbbing Detroit techno rhythm. But rather than making a too old school-sounding track, he again deploys his emotive synth layers to balance the industrial components and give the track an organic and futuristic twist. The surge of energy level brought about by them after the breakdown is absolutely mental.
 
It is clear that the cross-pollinations between house and techno in the dance scene are unstoppable, so Enola's melodic prog/techno hybrid style has the potential to become one of the most prominent in the coming years. And whilst some may consider him as an emerging talent, Alone has vividly illustrated his top-class craftsmanship as an electronic music producer. With the capabilities to explore musical boundaries and trigger resonance on and off the dancefloor, it is likely that Enola will be one of the most sought after musicians in the global dance scene in the future.