Description
DJ Stingray 313’s highly-praised FTNWO LP returns to heed its sonic warnings and powerful messages on his own label, Micron Audio. Originally released on WeMe Records in 2012, FTNWO displays the high-tempo, ever forward production DJ Stingray 313 is known world around for. DJ Stingray 313 says « FTNWO was conceptually centered on conspiracy theory, science, prepper [doomsday preparation / survivalism] and social commentary, » and the foreboding introduction of « Evil Agenda » sonically explains just what lies ahead for the listener. The stark warning leads into DJ Stingray 313’s stomping « Dark Arts », beginning the FTNWO experience. « Room Clearance » gets straight to business with raw, gritty and true-to-the-art Detroit electro sounds, along with a heavy, quivering lead to piece the track together. FTNWO’s cyber-explorations continue with « Denial Of Service ». « I NEED a computer! » shouts a destitute voice throughout the track, as a hypnotic siren lead weaves through pounding 808s. The uptempo onslaught continues with « Interest Rate » – pads that give a feeling of falling accompany samples lamenting the realities of debt in modern society. These statements in the samples permeating the aptly titled track eerily foretell many present-day situations in 2022, as well as prove testament to DJ Stingray 313’s ahead-of-the-curve production techniques. « No Knock » also carries on with arpeggiated square waves and dissonant FM stabs laced intricately over thundering drums. « Outsourced » has a call and response feel, with lush, bright tiny synths talking with each other over a thundering rhythm akin to a drum & bass arrangement. DJ Stingray 313’s sound also stretches to more melodic planes, as « Reverse Engineering » displays. Brooding pads and icy percussion engage in a sonic dance. In the same on « Image Search », cold drums and riffs intertwine the warmer layering pads and leads. Both create two powerful compositions on FTNWO that move unlike any other. « Remote Viewing » only moves lower in tempo compared to the rest of FTNWO, DJ Stingray 313’s keen ear to melody still burning brightly. F.T.N.W.O. remains an ageless album – an ominous piece from a near-distant past, back again as part of the Micron Audio catalog to soundtrack the new and uncertain times we live in.
