Ferenc Fraximal

• Words: Luciana Lopez
• Label: Kompakt
• XLR8R Rating: /10

It would be hard for Spanish duo Ferenc to top their ‘03 hit "Yes Sir I Can Hardcore"-and they don‘t. Fraximal isn‘t bad-its 10 synth-layered technotracks are solid enough-but it lacks "Hardcore"‘s brilliance. Opener "Diplodocus" sets an ambient tone that grows steadily more beat-conscious as the album progresses, but many of the tracks never quite differentiate themselves enough from each other. The results are mixed: "Vinagreta," with its swooshing ocean noises, feels forced, but "Urdangarin Resistance" and "Neng" get deeper, grittier and much better.