REVIEW: Secuencias Temporales | Various Hearts Year Two

June was a joyful month for many reasons. For us at Delayed, there was a plethora of amazing music to match the nice change in weather. There was also one other reason in particular, well two I suppose that will be the focus of today. June also marked a special time for Jorge Eafhm and his Secuencias Temporales imprint. The Mexico City based label has recently hit two years old, releasing what is the second, two part installment of his Various Hearts compilation series to celebrate. Each year’s compilations draw upon artists that have contributed releases over the year prior, to release an additional unreleased track.

One of the most striking things about Secuencias Temporales as a label is the breadth of sound, of atmosphere, while still maintaining a consistent feel. Journey through the discography and you’ll hit drone, breakbeat, ethereal ambient tracks, grinding techno and more. Leading off the compilation is Fm Outt’s Autumn Diary. Remarkably simple, incredibly poignant, almost like a shot across a listener's auditory bow or the waning sunset dancing on an ocean's waves. Chock full of the melancholic elements that we know and love. Leaving the surface of Fm Outt, we have Vako Pachulia and Yóhan that act as the guides into the depths. Okas and Rusty Air respectively soundtracking that slide as the sky gets darker and darker. 

Taking deep breaths, s.soo’s Expressio fills the void as details drop off, leaving the world to be a memory, replaced by a void. Fitting then does Nisli by RTNH come in to surround the listener with liquid soundscapes and unknown whisperings. A good companion to NotNotice’s aptly named In Deep End or Max Figueroa’s Herd Behavior. Heavy tracks that bring to mind thunderstorms full of lightning. To see the sky again, Joey_M’s On the Path provides a rush to the surface. The pads immediately jump out as a calming influence. Much like those on Hod’s Sense of Guilt, they act like a buoy, helping one back to those dancing waves of Fm Outt.

Part B of this celebration starts off with a wonderful track titled Das Neboas, by Javier Marimon - VLB52. A field recording of rain runs throughout and provides such a great backdrop to the slowly unfolding percussive elements. A common theme throughout this second release as the focus has shifted more to beat driven narratives. Keeping the story going, Adhémar’s The Smell of Lemongrass steadily chugs along, undulating synths and textures flitting in and out of existence, much like fireflies on a warm summer’s night. Also on Part B is a dramatic show of punchy melodies from Data Domain, and a wonderfully deep Rhades, by the label head himself. Chock full of blissful bass lines and the rumbling undertones of apprehension, of the future to come. Rounding out the release are tracks by How to Levitate, Hogeko, Noah Lyas, Szórëgg, Farazdeck and Möe.

All in all, it’s a wonderfully diverse yet cohesive celebration of Secuencias Temporales and in turn Jorge Eafhm’s artistic vision. Great care has been taken to curate each release as such, compilations like these are a great window into a label. To see where it has been, and where it is looking to go.