Identity Politics - Shin Nishimura

The 20: June 2008

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Featured Review #20

Identity Politics

Shin Nishimura [Plus Records (Plus...

#20 in this month's The 20

Section: Music Recommendations Topics: The 20
Written by: Terry Church

Surreptitiously funky, Shin Nishimura’s third album ‘Identity Politics’ is unashamedly dancefloor-focused techno and it doesn’t lose its kick drums for longer than a breakdown.

As a collection of driving techno tracks, the LP laughs at the idea of a concept album.

Beginning with the aptly titled ‘Monky Punch’, the Japanese producer throws his weight behind driving bass growls and simplified techno loops that build to no obvious conclusion, before the squelchy synths of ‘Acid Junkiiii!’ take the mood in a different direction.

There’s more acid loveliness to be found on ‘Deca’s Fart’ which comes wrapped in a bubble of minimal nonsense, and plenty of bass-driven looped techno including ‘Bully Boy’ and ‘Seven To Ten’.

The best track of the collection could be ‘Bass Jump’, which features a groovy bass melody layered over the top of minimal beats and vocal snippets – Shin Nishimura teases the dancefloor by letting the bass peak its head through the gate every so often.

As the album progresses, it reaches the borders of harder techno, and through dribbling energy and enthusiasm Shin Nishimura displays a penchant for speed, which may or may not appear in his forthcoming releases.