- Justin Broadrick's initial forays into techno have been made of serrated frequencies and stomping kick drums, which is not surprising coming from a pioneer in the worlds of grindcore, industrial music and beyond. But judging from his second EP for Downwards, Broadrick has done his techno homework. Exit Stance is less about bludgeoning dance floors than exploring other aspects of the genre, namely groove and repetition.
That's particularly true for the title track, which seems to take inspiration from Downwards founder Regis's recently reissued debut album, Gymnastics. Its ruthlessly elastic beat and thin drum sounds trade Broadrick's hellish mid-range for something more wiry. Returning to the rougher textures of past records, "Motivated By Jealousy" spurts like an acid track having a fit, while "Caveman" sounds like a more refined version of something from Rise Above, complete with a downtrodden synth breakdown. Even these, with their abrasive surfaces, feel more subdued than past records. That leaves "Bullied By Love," a stomper with a lopsided synth lead and a hint of melody. Doubling down on what he does best while stepping into a new arena with confidence, Exit Stance establishes Broadrick as a bonafide techno artist.
TracklistA1 Exit Stance
A2 Motivated By Jealousy
B1 Bullied By Love
B2 Caveman