[Syndrome Z]

After stepping out from behind Horizontal Border’s numerals to mix LWE’s Talking Shopcast 07 (to great acclaim), it’s understandable that Szare have capitalized on their newfound visibility by founding a label, Syndrome Z. Its first release hosts the duo’s first track under their actual name and a cut from underaged unknown Alex Coulton. “Mendeleev” finds Szare further down the path charted on the undulating “Snake Cave” but more invested in eliciting psychological turmoil. Announcing its arrival with air raid drones, sloshing water, and unnerving dubbed out vocals, the track breaks into a bassy strut and heads back into the warzone. The addition of tumbling hand drums and ominous snaps suggest Szare are channeling Shackleton’s propensity for dread into steady techno beats and certainly hit that mark. Coulton’s “Baraki” is a like-minded companion, setting off rippling tom runs amid the granular bursts of noise serving as melody. Although the bleepy post-breakdown section is less convincing than the lead up, Coulton’s debut suggests a promising young talent ready to pounce and a new imprint to follow.