<p><span><span>- <strong>Lou Karsh</strong> aka Reptant has debuted his first album, <em>Return To Planet X'trapolis</em>. Coming after a number of releases under both the pseudonym and his own name, Karsh has carved out his own space in the Australian music landscape, honing his skills as a DJ and live performer while refining an individual, acidic style of electro and techno. If you were in Brisbane you may have been lucky enough to see him DJ alongside <strong>Shedbug</strong> pre-pandemic. If not, I suggest you have even more reason to revel in the fine album that is <em>Return To Planet X'trapolis</em>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>Enter Atmosphere</em> kicks off proceedings: a cinematic, downtempo intro that establishes the cosmic tone of the album. It is followed by the titular <em>Planet X'trapolis</em> which picks up the tempo, launching us into the body of the album (or out on to the dancefloor). I love the ominous electro of <em>Temple Of Reptilius</em> with its syncopated bass, before the four-to-the-floor kick sets in, going in a more classic techno direction. Similarly the sinuous acid of <em>March Of The Repazoids</em> and <em>The Outcast</em> really stands out, Karsh managing to breathe life into sounds that we’re all familiar with. This goes for the excellent <em>Native Mushrooms</em> too, which starts off with a psychedelic electro feel before a surprise acid bassline is thrown in to great effect.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>Dilapidated Environment</em> is another standout with its beautiful, rubbery, melodic sequencing. While many of the tracks are on the faster side, songs like <em>Gecko Force</em> bring a downtempo balance and beatific pads complemented by detailed drum programming and sequencing. Additionally the outro, -suitably titled <em>Outermission</em>- has a classic Berlin-school ambient feel with ascending and descending arpeggios matched with pads and sound effects.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Reptant has produced a strong debut album that touches on many different styles of electronic dance music. Truly one of the most resonant, squelchy albums in recent memory. There's 808 drums, random stabs and squeeks which come together to show that while he’s able to take cues from <strong>Drexciya</strong>, <strong>Bushwacka!</strong> and innumerable others he's really refining his own, distinct, Lizard-inflected acid. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- Hillfolk.</span></span></p>
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2721216171/size=large/bgcol=f…; seamless><a href="https://lkrrecords.bandcamp.com/album/return-to-planet-xtrapolis">Return To Planet X'trapolis by Reptant</a></iframe>