Alto Astral – Polaris [Movement Recordings]

Continuing a strong summer season, Tash's Movement Recordings welcomes Alto Astral back to the label for a new EP. Originally from Argentina and now calling Spain home, Martina Mozzoni and Matias Villafañe aka Alto Astral first emerged in 2019 on the strength of early tracks 'Time Shifter' and 'One of a Kind'. Noted for their groovy progressive sound and memorable live performances, Alto Astral quickly became a rising duo to watch, in turn receiving nominations for Best Duo and Best Live Set in the electronic music scene in Córdoba. Now nearly five years on Alto Astral have built an impressive resume with standout releases via Freegrant Music, Proton and Nick Warren's The Soundgarden. Movement Recordings has also been a landing spot for the talented duo, with their label debut 'Time Shifter' coming in 2021, an EP project recorded alongside fellow countryman Andres Moris. With 2024 already yielding standout releases for Or Two Strangers, Proton Music and The Soundgarden, Alto Astral now returns to Movement with a three-track showcase entitled 'Polaris'.

Daydreaming' leads the release off in grand fashion and only furthers the duo's journey into the groovy depths of progressive house. Strong kick drums and a bed of chunky rhythms provide the anchor for layers of finely tuned percussion and airy melodic fragments. Cruising with an effortless flair, there's a strong sense of flow across the first act, as soulful vocal phrasing steals the air, not only adding depth and character, but an emotive rise leading into a poignant break. Here, dulcet piano's create a sense of calm, eventually giving way to a tasteful build, onwards to a stripped drop and uplifting vocal-led finale.

Beneath the emotive sounds of 'Daydreaming' lies the equally impressive 'Tunnel Light'. Geared more towards deeper dancefloor moments, Alto Astral's pristine production chops serve them well here, bursting with ultrasonic qualities and a keen sense of rhythm and groove. Flowing through shuffled percussive arrangements and tasteful melodic fragments as the first act evolves, it's a main break highlighted by heavenly vocal pads and orbiting effects which spearheads a rejuvenating conclusion.

The release concludes with the title selection 'Polaris', a track which finds the Argentinean duo continuing to display unique craftsmanship. Tight kick drums and a rolling groove set the foundation for a narrative of wonky synth mutations, wistful overlays and deconstructed sonics. Pushing an energetic mood into the break; Alto Astral marries tranquil arps with poignant swells and deconstructed vocals, building anticipation and emotion with each successive pass, as a classy build eventually gives way to a grooved-out drop and hypnotic finale.

Buy: https://tinyurl.com/2dez5yev

Release Date: 19-07-2023

Release Promo: http://releasepromo.com

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