Fierce collection of tracks from Sam Goku, making his debut on the label arm of the Dekmantel conglomerate. Radiants contains multitudes — four individual tracks that feel like small electronic symphonies full of movement.

Goku has an affection for a visceral, tribal sound — you feel it in your chest or your ass first, and it flows upward. If this record is his resumé, Goku is also an exceptionally talented producer with a fastidiousness and attention to detail. This is especially apparent on the first two tracks. “Tides (Under The Moonlight” drifts through the ripples of DMT waves but with an overriding structural elegance. At 10 minutes in length, you have every right to expect to be taken on a journey and you will have no complaints at the end of it. Goku deftly blends esoteric and mystical vibes with 21st century techno-modernism, and it shouldn’t work, it has no business working, but it does.

Evoking in places some of the best of early Ghostly International, the tracks on Radiants are not strictly ambient, not strictly techno and not an unholy bastardization of the two. It’s techno that sounds like it’s going through the process of radioactive decay, decomposing down to its base components. “Tanggu FM” (named, I think, after the millennia old drum from China) is the best example of this approach: a thundering rhythm machine that runs out of juice and is hand-cranked back into production. The effect is mesmerizing, hypnotic in the “I’ve been driving this car for 14 hours and the delta wave rhythm of the dashed line on the asphalt is lulling me into a state of satori” kinda way.

I only knew Sam Goku from the Glistening Club Music vols 1 through 4 released on Permanent Vacation over the last 3 years, but the fierce and lively sound of Radiants made me immediately start digging into the back catalog. I think this EP is their best. I also doubt that will be a true statement a year from now.

⚪️ Radiants Tracklisting

Sam Goku: Radiants (Dekmantel / June 14 2024 / 12" Vinyl + Digital)
1. Tides (Under The Moonlight) (09:56)
2. Tanggu FM (05:49)
3. Radiants (05:48)
4. Temple Arp (07:10)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement

This record was submitted as a promo.

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5 Mag Issue 213
Released: May 2024

ROOTED: This was originally published in 5 Mag Issue #213 featuring electronic music pioneer Laurent Garnier, Monty Luke, Petals In Sound, Henna Onna, Paul Johnson and more. Become a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right away!

this record was submitted as a promo.