For the task of researching a techno artist I have chosen to look into Amelie Lens, who is a Belgian producer, artist and DJ. She had an interest in electronic music from a young age and was influenced by an eclectic music taste even then; it was in 2014 that she began to DJ, playing mostly bass heavy minimal techno. She earned enough of a reputation to get a residency at the Labyrinth Club in Belgium, and after this she embarked on her first European tour. Her DJ sets nowadays are known for being a blend of classic acid and tribal house alongside contemporary European techno. The music Amelie Lens produces is very high energy techno, relentless and raw, and also features her vocals in an interesting blend of angelic voice and heavy dance beats. Lens has stated that when producing she uses the DAW Ableton Live and also makes heavy use of the Electron Analog Four Synth and Sequencer within her music.
Her latest release was an EP titled ‘In My Head’ which featured three new techno tracks. The title track appears first and draws you in with a sweeping slow beat which contrasts against her smooth vocals. Soaked in reverb and featuring furious claps and spiking synths in tandem with one another, this track is intense and unrelenting, but also features some light keys that bring a touch of elegance to the song. When paired with the pulsing bassline and soothing vocals it all creates a very sonically interesting track. The second track on the EP ‘First Light’ has a lot going on within its production and instrumentation; it starts off relatively simple with a kick drum playing alongside some distorted pads. It is after this that a more intense kick drum comes into play and an acid lick is added and the track becomes sharper. The track also features programmed claps and dark, swelling pads which rise within the track threateningly. This particular track showcases intense mechanisation and builds a dark tapestry with distortion added to the instruments throughout; it features a deep melody which contrasts fascinatingly well with the mechanical drums, all of which results in this track sounding incredibly dynamic. The last track which is titled ‘Trippin’, contrasts Lens’ voice interestingly against the rest of the instrumentation. The melancholy vocals are juxtaposed by an oscillating spring reverb on a prominent and harsh kick.The track gives way to a breakdown early on that gives a brief sense that the song is going to give in to the softness of Lens’ voice before the kick returns full force alongside frenzied hi-hats and heavy distortion.