Never Any Gain by A Taut Line - Diskotopia [DSK065]

Never Any Gain

A Taut Line

A 10 track electronic album (49m 1s) — released September 8th 2023 on Diskotopia

#electronic #dance

Never Any Gain is the fifth album from Tokyo-based artist, creative director, and Diskotopia co-founder Matt Lyne under his A Taut Line moniker, following on from last year's critically-acclaimed full-length Loss. Initially conceived as a yin to Loss's yang before shaping its own creative path, Never Any Gain shares a lot of dualism with its predecessor. Shoko Sasano returns as a guest vocalist, but this time loaning her airy Japanese-language melodies to three tracks. Author Thomas Kendall has once again contributed his writing talents, penning the spoken-word lyrics of the title track.

Never Any Gain marks a decade after the debut A Taut Line album Nitriding Portrait, and thematically the album is about a general lack of humanitarian progress manifesting into a personal mental stagnation amidst all the potentially terrifying technological advancements over the last ten years.

Stylistically, however, there is a strong sense of renewal and reinvention throughout the LP. While there is a firm expression of the musical heritage of Lyne's birth town Bristol — hinted at in places on Loss — a new kind of soul-searching can be heard in the disorientated fourth-world trademark A Taut Line sound. Mutant and contorted elements of dub techno, deep house, electro, trip-hop, post-punk, lounge, and garage can be found in unique juxtapositions across the ten tracks, while opener Colour Science fuses Japanese environmental-music ambient, 90s British electronica, and 80s 4AD output all at once.

Possibly the most accomplished and accessible A Taut Line material to date — a look back over the last ten years of albums and their influences while marking a shift into a new direction.

Great mix of traditional Japanese percussion and shoegaze vocals. - Richard Sen

Solid work - Om Unit

Beautiful! This is probably gonna be one my favorites records this year - Zopelar Apron Records, Tartelet

Lots of varied sounds on this release. Great detail and production. Love Silver Lake. - DJ Fade Of Paradise

Love this!! Super dense production - layers on layers. - Jaye Ward Netil Radio, etc.

Great stuff, really like it. Nicely produced and enjoying how diverse it is. - Memotone Impatience, Accidental Meetings, etc.)

So good. a deep, intelligent, winding journey. and simply a damn good listen, as per usual -- for both artist and label. - Alland Byallo Full Bleed, Third Ear Recordings

Crazily varied. The best tracks are phenomenal. - Peter Hollo FBi Radio, Sydney

Added to the Rinse FM France Playlist - Rinse Fm France

I love A Taut Line! Gorg release :) - Michelle NTS Radio

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