Don’t know much about Burnet207, a project I was informed about through the social network’s channels – but from what’s offered in audio terms, this is exactly what we all prefer to think of in terms of the future – idealistic, naïve and to an extent uncertain, but still friendly in its unpredictable swash of glitches messing up with all tomorrow’s plans.
While the Jacktone’s official channel brings to mind the likes of Chris & Cosey, Front 242, Portion Control and Kraftwerk, my wild guess regarding this collection would be that of a certain Telex, Liaisons Dangereuses, Rosa Nebel, Circa Tapes and the minimal demonstration work of Robert Görl (from the time he spent with Disko B – “Final Metal Pralinés” especially). Another pleasant reminder is Microslav, a bedroom synth genius who prefers recording sharp electronic dance experiments in isolation, testing his private collection of vintage gear, rarely finishing his gorgeous ideas beyond leaving them as 2-minute upbeat doodle sketches.
Burnet207’s sounds are just as adorably catchy and irresistible, and may not appeal only to synth geeks out there endlessly analysing the generated sounds’ whereabouts – however, after kicking in way into “Inter”, listening to the entire playlist may become a bit of an exhausting experience – the impression of which Burnet207 might be very well aware of, producing sort of an individually indexed “megamix”, each of the 18 tracks marked in exact timing (2:23) with the exception of the two closing numbers, a remix each, the very last one being a mere 16 seconds in length, both shying away from the repetitive nature of these previous 18 tracks.
Its intention was obviously the opposite of exhaustion though – to stimulate and challenge the listener with the whole; the sounds are sterile but warm, the grooves are repetitive but catchy, the image is simple but complex, all pulsating with geometric precision, sincerity and audible love of a good electro bleep. As emotional as it is confrontational – the duality of it, the enthusiastic pupil and the strict teacher.
Still, personally I’d prefer dosing individual tracks. Maybe that’s the safest way to do thus keep them in control – but don’t take my word for it; there’s a lot to love and enjoy here – “Inter” is a brave little conceptual charmer, your toes will find hard not to tap along. A personal favourite: “Chess Pieces 2”.
