Apparat – DJ-Kicks

Apparat provides a surprisingly strong mix-debut from a producer one would not normally think of as a DJ. His treatment of the track selection can be a pro or a con, depending on your flavor preference and perhaps mood.

The 'pro or con' is in reference to his decision to cram 24 tracks into a standard 67-minute mix, roughly twice more than the norm. This runs the risk of seeming all over the place. Furthermore, some tracks are inevitably relegated to a 'filler' role, running as short as ~60 seconds before transitioning to the next track - perhaps too fast-paced and attention-seeking for its own good?

My overall impression is: Apparat succeeds - at times in spite of these potential criticisms, and at times rendering them altogether irrelevant due to strong execution. Some of these 'filler' tracks, in truth, function brilliantly at linking and transitioning between tracks, while not sounding boring on their own (e.g. 'Interlude' and 'Legendary'), and then others do end up falling into that trap (e.g. 'Intervall'). Nevertheless, track selection is overall excellent.

The intro kicks off and already speeds through 11 tracks in rapid succession, none greater than 3 minutes. It is arguably a bit too crowded and dizzying, yes, but Apparat keeps the sound ultimately palatable, and it's understandable what he tries to achieve here.

Apparat's treatment of a few select tracks is also commendable. His tempo/bpm increase in Four Tet's remix of 'I Need A Life' is a minor change that does phenomenal work for the piece. Listen to the un-mixed single and it sounds so much more lethargic than here. Additionally, the transition from 'Tempest' to 'Harrowdown Hill' provides a great energy and is a highlight. Finally, his production of 'Sayulita' is amazing, and its descent into 'Borderlands' is a treat. Fitting in Tim Hecker into a mix is certainly brave, but Apparat's risk here, and well as elsewhere in the mix, prove to make this mix stand strong.

3.8/5

Apparat gives us a nice adition to the DJ KiCKS series by creating an inteligent yet danceable mix full with diferent textures and a widden selection of finest music. As time goes on, it grows on you. With diferent moods throughout the lenght of the set.

DJ KiCKS by Apparat is one grlorious adition to the series.

4/5