fjaak: s/t

Fjaak's path led them from the periphery to the center, and from there, further through the world. Their self-titled debut album for Monkeytown is as much a summary of what had happened in the previous three years as it is an artistic statement. Fjaak combines the energetic peak-time sound of the Berlin-based trio's acclaimed techno singles, like Oben/Unten (2015), with sophisticated breakbeat arrangements and atmospherically dense ambient textures. These eleven tracks are the provisional highlight in a unique success story which started aside club culture's conventions and to this day refuses to compromise. Felix Wagner, Aaron Röbig and Kevin Kozicki were still teenagers when they developed a distinct sound which positioned itself outside beaten paths, both geographically and musically speaking. The trio cut their teeth in Berlin-Spandau's open-air scene and celebrated their first success in the city's center shortly thereafter before taking the techno world by storm with their elaborate analog sound. Having released a few records, they found a permanent home on Modeselektor's Monkeytown in 2014, while incessantly traveling the world. Fjaak draws its overwhelming power from their signature hands-on mentality and the explosive charm of their live sets. Earlier this year, Fjaak let FACT into their Berlin studio for an "Against The Clock" feature, the result of which - an anthemic techno jam - showcases the trio's spontaneous working process. "Against The Clock" sounds rough and unpolished, just like it's supposed to be: Fjaak capture the energy of their jam sessions on Fjaak. Apart from the previously released tracks to be found on the single Wolves/Pray For Berlin, the album also features a reworked version of the Fjaak classic "Gewerbe 15". However, Fjaak is far more than a document of Fjaak's studio virtuosity. On it, Kozicki, Röbig und Wagner channel the diverse influences that have informed their unique sound from the very beginning. On "Sixteen Levels", you can hear their love for UK bass sound while "Snow" and the vivid collaborations with Rødhåd or Modeselektor highlight a more placid side of Fjaak. Whether it's peak-time techno or the cowbell-heavy breakbeats of "Fast Food", Fjaak seamlessly blends the musical tensions between subtle textures, raw kicks and smart arrangements. Here and there, there are references to a specific '90s sound. However, Fjaak is first and foremost dedicated to a new musical future.