Swiss gentleman Lexx returns to Ibiza’s International Feel with a fine 4-track EP. The music is varied but slots together as a sympathetic cohesive whole. The collection could even be described as a journey. 

The A-side contains a couple of tracks that seem to hark back to 90s chillout rooms. Acknowledging but updating that sound. For example, the beat and computerised sighs of Another Beach borrow from the ethereal pop of acts such as Enigma or Deep Forest. Guitars duelling, both delicate and noisily riffing, while synths mimic woodwinds and a TB-303 gently growls. Everything gradually building in intensity and urgency. Unison, centred around a simple spoken sample of “That’s beautiful”, similarly, is a sort of pow wow between Sun Electric and the Californian coastal breaks of Young American Primitive. Muted, jazzy garage keys jostling with a broken, skipping 4 /4 rhythm. Pal Joey’s seminal shake of The Orb being another point of reference. 

On the flip, In Between State has more of a classic `80s pop feel. All peaceful piano, calming chimes and tribal chants – think Talk Talk or Tears For Fears – at least until it starts emitting acidic fractals, and evolving into a downtempo dose of blissed-out bleep. 

The final number, Durchs Hinterland, is different again, quite a contrast in fact, but still fits with the light, summery vibe. The title perhaps a giveaway, beginning with percussive picked and plucked harmonics, this is a piece of playful motorik. With live sounding trap drumming, cymbals crashing, and fizzing, singing frequencies that could double for vocoder harmonies. Like the opener, as it sets its course it gathers pace, from autobahn cruising proceeding toward flight / launch velocity. 

Lexx’s In Between State can be ordered directly from International Feel.