Voices Of Space

Buenos Aires-based producer Joaquin Ruiz returns to Norway’s PLOINK with his debut album, ‘Voices Of Space LP’, featuring ten ethereal tracks.

Argentinian artist Joaquin Ruiz has continually challenged the senses with twisted releases on labels like Blackrod, Affekt and Hardtools, which have garnered support from Ben Klock, Marcel Dettmann, Ben Sims, and Dax J. He now returns to Thomas Urv and Miss Mostly’s Bergen-based techno label for his most impressive body of work yet.

‘Voices Of Space’ opens with an enticing stereo landscape, lush with bubbling samples and subtle percussion, ‘Hypnotic Alert’ moves by upping the energy with tight kicks and eerie synths when ‘Mantrack’ then finalises the A-side with soft keys and distant melodic flurries. On the flip, ‘Nuclear Substance’ kick starts with propulsive drums and chiming tubular-like sounds until ‘Altered System’ adds in cantering sub-frequencies and rapid snares, providing a cavernous feel to the mix.

Next, ‘Genesick’ gives a sense of spatial progression with fleeting plucks and white noise before ‘Reset’ initiates a more club-focused shift with acid stabs, field recordings and splashing cymbals. ‘Satellite’ readjusts the aural journey with casting pads and computerised bleeps that lead to the harrowing rhythms and celestial chords of ‘Challenged’, ahead of ‘Times’ that beautifully concludes the album with sharp risers, zappy effects and low-swung beats.