Debut album from techno powerhouse UMFANG, on Ninja Tune's Technicolour imprint.
Highly rated for her analogue-based rhythmic excursions previously released by esteemed techno labels such as 1080p, Allergy Season, Phinery and Videogamemusic, the New Yorker is a co-founder of the influential music collective Discwoman and resident DJ of Technofeminism at the Bossa Nova Civic Club in New York.
Despite being renowned for drawing for only the best in techno, Symbolic Use of Light throws a curveball by beginning with three numbers light on kicks. “Full 1”, “Weight” and the title track all shift between the skittish edges of electronica and IDM, with the jerky keys of “Full 1” and “Weight” proving particularly hypnotic. As the album progresses, tracks like “Where is She”, “Wingless Victory” and “Pop” ratchet up the grooves while still providing an amount of space in their mix that will allow them to work well at any point of a DJ set.
“Discwoman co-founder completes an enthralling new album.” 8/10 – Clash
“Symbolic Use Of Light is future-facing music to get lost in without any pretence, while bringing to mind the original ethos of early Detroit techno.” 5 out of 5 – DMC World
“‘Symbolic Use Of Light’ is a truly special record. And one that moves across moods and themes with a swiftness that feels natural”. 9/10 – Mixmag
“Like much of her work throughout her career, each of these tracks feels like a glimpse of something larger. You won’t get the full picture from any single track, but let the whole album sink in, and you begin hearing the implicit connections that link them all.” 7.8 – Pitchfork