Motor!k – Motor!k 2 (Album – Out Of Line)
Genre/Influences: Krautrock, Psychedelic Electro-Rock, Experimental.
Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl.
Background/Info: One year after their self-titled debut release the Belgian Motor!k trio is back on track unleashing six new songs. Motor!k is the sonic brainchild of Joeri Dobbeleir (guitar and synths), Dries D’Hollander (drums) and Dirk Ivens (guitar and effects). Especially the presence of Dirk Ivens (The Klinik, Dive, Absolute Body Control, Sonar ao) is quite surprising, but Motor!k definitely seems to be an extra project in his long career.
Content: I have to admit I wasn’t totally convinced after the debut work. The band defines their sound as Krautrock, which is probably the correct definition although it’s more accessible than numerous projects in this genre. The songs are once again instrumental edits revealing a perfect harmony between the guitar –which clearly injects the style of Motor!k, the crescendo going drums and electronics. The tracks are progressively built up and are sometimes reaching a Trance-like sensation. I also noticed a more Ballad-like experiment (cf. “Memoria”) while the last song (cf. “Penta”) is more into Electro, the sequences adding an extra dimension to the song.
+ + + : The global approach and influences are exactly similar to the previous work, but this new album (which is more a kind of mini-album) is definitely more efficient. It all feels like there’s a better balance between the sound layers. The guitar playing is the most essential element of the work creating an elevating effect. The opening cut “Tyrants” is a cool song illustrating this hypnotic feeling, but “Ritual” even moves a step further leading the listener into trance. “Ritual” also has something pretty sensual, which is an aspect I especially like in music. But there’s also something to say about “Sundown”, which has a more dark Cinematic appeal. The already mentioned last song “Penta” reveals explicit Electronic sound treatments, which are in perfect balance with the guitar and drums.
– – – : The softer “Memoria” is the only song from this work that can’t convince me. It probably also is the most Experimental one.
Conclusion: “Motor!k 2” took me by surprise revealing a pretty accessible sound and the huge potential of Motor!k.
Best songs: “Ritual”, “Penta”, “Sundown”, “Tyrants”.
Rate: (8½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/MOTORIKBELGIUM
Label: www.outofline.de / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel
About Motor!k
Motor!k is a Belgian krautrock trio set up in 2018 by Joeri Dobbeleir (guitar and synths), Dries D’Hollander (drums) and Dirk Ivens (guitar and effects), the latter also known for The Klinik, Dive, Absolute Body Control and Sonar.
The trio released its self-titled debut album in 2019 on Out Of Line, followed by “Motor!k 2” in 2020, the “Odyssey” EP in 2022 on Ant-Zen, the albums “3” (2022) and “4” (2023), and “5” in 2024.
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