Lush, emotionally-engaging ambient techno works from Mathematics PhD and occasional producer Niko Tzoukmanis presented to the highest standards by French imprint Libreville.

Originally released on CD in 2013 under his own Microphase alias, Hope Is The Sister Of Despair draws obvious influence from the halcyon days of UK ambient techno (Likemind, Peacefrog), Pete Namlook’s era-defining Fax imprint, Warp’s Artificial Intelligence series and the entire canon of Detroit techno, but there’s something that sets these recordings apart from the well-worn pastiche of 90’s electronica nostalgia.

At its core is the expression of human emotion, recalling the similar sense of slow-release melancholy found in John Beltran’s Placid Angels project or deeper parts of the early B12 records - soft, aching pads and pulsating rhythms traversing the happy/sad axis.

Listening through, Tzoukmanis’s background as a Mathematician comes into focus, his productions are thoughtfully arranged and constructed logically, though not at the expense of feeling. Pieces like ‘Floating Free’ captures the collective dance-floor euphoria and tension felt in the beatless breakdown, but runs with it for a weightless 7 min+ serotonin-rushing epic, whilst ‘Free Hugs’ taps into hazy, half-formed memories of sentimentality with its glassy melodies and palpitating rhythmic drive.

A genuinely special, time-capsule collection of human-focused electronic music. - All Night Flight

Release by Libreville Records