Kodama – What Divides Us [ AGN7 AUDIO ]

The world was recently gifted the second release on AGN7 Audio, by Kodama . A technical wizard leaning into fuzing the realms of celestial tech step and organic drum and bass. If you are familiar with AGN7 Audio. You are ready for the diversity between releases. If you are not, prepare to be unprepared ! Expect what you didn’t expect. The label has constructed a great reputation for putting out work that represents the past and future of the genre. Kodama achieves that standard again! If I were to compare it to anything. It would be similar to watching someone 3D print mid mod furniture from recycled Ikea filament.  To quote the label

‘What Divides Us’. Heavily influenced by 90s ambient Jungle and dub Techno sounds, the listener is invited to take a moment, and consider a macroscopic view of our world”

                      LETS DIVE INTO THE JAMS!!

This album kicks off with H.S.T – This piece lives in a place where chromatic vision meets minimalism . Through walls of subtle percussion, soft snare hits & a halftime kick. Comes waves of cybernetic frequency and transient tones. Weaving in and out of filter sweeps the drum lines nestle alongside soft, low & subdued bass lines. The strategically placed lick shots are coupled with fluttering fx. Consequently, the layering and mix of this song borderlines between soothing and being slightly numb . It reminds me of older Peshay meets Blu Mar Ten . Penny Black with a side of  Metalheadz Platnium . It’s a funky space odyssey, that is a perfect way to open up the air lock to the cargo bay.

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The next song, ” What divides us ” goes straight in. Taking us further into the gallows of the ship. Constructed from the blue prints passed down from the greatest tech step architects. Once again, it’s lead by percussion and strong but demure low end. For many of us. This is what drum and bass was presented as when we found it. For others, it’s a modern spyglass allowing a glimpse into a portal of the genres past. It’s short, sweet and to the point. A great segway used to give movement and foreshadowing to the EP as an entire piece.

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As we enter further into the realm of the mothership. We are greeted by ” The Cage ” . A pallettte wrapped in distress with a touch of anxiety. Bursts of compressed air fx and drone like synths. Drag the listener across the floor, through a trail of unidentifiable fluid. The absolute presence of space in between the elements of the arrangement feel like struggling to put on an air mask. This reminds me of ” Metropolis ” by Adam F . It’s very minimal, kinda eerie, borderline uncomfortable.

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Transitioning to the next movement. We slide into Invisible Images . A further exploration into the bowels our vessel. Met with a sonic template of circuit bending and hissing electricity. We have now embarked beyond the abyss of the cosmos and are on our way home. The origins of techno cross over into intelligent drum and bass beautifully. This song is a call back to the opening track. As if it’s simultaneously prepping us for the end of the journey.

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Ending this EP is Tracer. Which is a downtempo breakbeat delight. This is the part of the journey where the end is revealed. Hearts rates settle, anxiety has passed and we are putting our feet back onto solid ground. Due to its organic composition and arrangements. By nature this piece breaks away from the tone set by the rest of the record. Standing on its own as the final course to an expertly crafted tasting menu, It wasn’t what I expected, but it was what I needed to decompress properly.

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So how do we feel about this release?

I enjoyed it very much! Once again, AGN7 Audio gives us another beautifully curated work of art. It is a record that moves from one track to the next with purpose and intent. While many labels are so laser focused on meeting sales, streaming metrics and dj placements. Kodama and AGN7 are just making great art. making great well crafted , expertly mixed and meticulously mastered drum and bass.

Drum and bass that is curated not to just listen to. But to feel as well. Whether your use air pods or a Funktion-1 sound system. This album is CLEAN! I could say that it may not be for every type of dnb fan, but it is. Especially if that person is looking for a break from fest-bro pop influenced bangers. Or being beat over the head in clubs with the cut n paste frog bass jump up that seems to be all the rage right now. This is not that. This is something else. Something that we very much need in dnb to create a separation. Consequently, a reminder of how versatile and lovely this genre is.

Click here to follow this link and grab this release, available worldwide on all platforms