Aracus EP by qrauer

Taking its name from the ancient Spartan admiral and the genus group of spiders, Aracus is the experimentation of two musicians striking a balance between individual expressions and seamless collaborations. Its inspiration poised among the lofty throws of power and control and the gritty impulsion to dig into the darker, murky corners of the underground and deconstruct whatever they find.
Across the EP’s 4 tracks the listener is given an effortless string of organic and unchained compositions; sprawling lo-fi microhouse, ambient techno, wonky electronica and subtle nods to EDM. Opening track Aracus sees Christian and Ludwig making headway with a bouncing 4/4 beat and luscious, squelching bass that brings to mind Christian Löffler’s Mare.
Wilder moments of experimentation can be caught on the writhing Mulchen where glitchy percussion, sharp, icy synthesisers and snippets of vocals pierce through with laser guided precision; a piece of grinding electronic sound design that wouldn’t sound out of place in Lone or Clark’s catalogue. EP closer Brokebone takes a smooth lead and a wonky, off kilter pattern peppered with tender improvised embellishments to concoct a determined ‘heads down’ moment for the finish. A must for fans of Lapalux and other Brainfeeder downtempo tribalism.
It is the musicianship at the heart of Qrauer that makes their songs unique. Their way of improvising, their loops and modulations seem to flow directly from the frontal lobes. An experience which can often be watered down by too much compromise for both musicians. Qrauer manage to afford each other the room to breathe fully in expansive song structures that evolve naturally and carry the listener with them. A truly utopian journey from icy heights, through dense woodlands down and out onto the eternal sun-kissed palm-lined beaches.

qrauer is a German electronic music project spanning orchestral soundscapes, punchy minimal techno, inventive IDM and genre-defying collaborative creations. While ranging from glitchy orchestral drones and delicate lo fi piano to minimal grooves and moments of glorious, surprising complexity, qrauer hardly ever sacrifices danceability.

qrauer.com