Jack Playmobil / Belgium / 2025 / 12"
Hantrax (the moniker of the multifaceted Belgian artist Han Swolfs) takes us back to his sonic origins with the second volume of this essential archival series. Recorded entirely in his parents' basement between 1998 and 2002, these tracks capture the raw, visceral essence of his formative years.
Following a classical background in piano and cello that was abruptly put on hold in 2002, Swolfs immersed himself in analogue electronics. What we hear here is the fruit of that obsession: rugged Electro, frantic rhythms, and untamed synthesizers that have remained "buried" for over two decades.
This is far from a mere nostalgia trip; it is a masterclass in avant-garde analogue electronics. Expertly mastered by Yves De Mey, Tracks From The Basement 2 stands out for its frenetic energy and its uncanny ability to sound as fresh today as it did when it was first conceived in the cellar. A vital piece of sonic archaeology for lovers of hardware-driven music with true character.
FFO: Legowelt, The Hacker, Viewlexx, Analogue Electro.