Alex Smoke - 'Paradolia'

The word 'prodigy' is bandied about by dance critics so flippantly these days that it's become synonymous with 'flavour of the month'. In the case of Alex Smoke however such praise is not mere hyperbole. 'Paradolia', his second full length on the Soma imprint following last year's highly lauded 'Incommunicado' is a beautifully intricate and diverse exhibition in techno that spans the musical spectrum. The depth and density of the Smoke sound still remains in his characteristically complex beats though the progression is clear in the space and volume the tracks inhabit, giving the album a real three dimensional quality. The inclusion of vocal lead tracks such as Make My Day and Anima compliment Alex's sense of melancholy melody and though much of the record has a chilled feel to it there are still a few undeniable dancefloor belters such as Snider to keep the clubbers happy. A truly stunning piece of work. [Robbie Thomson]