HOT OFF THE PRESS: Obergman

Obergman LP artwork for "Mirror Counterpart"

Ola Obergman aka Obergman releases his 3rd and finest album to date – Mirror Counterpart

A fairly prolific music maker since the mid 90s, Ola Bergman aka Obergman is one of those artists who mostly likes to fly below the radar. Hailing from Stockholm, he has cultivated himself a respected following since making his debut on Manchester’s infamous SKAM imprint back in 2001.

Initially renowned for his stylish take on IDM inflected techno, it has however been his forays into purist Electro in more recent times that have seen him grace the likes of Stilleben Records, Abstract Forms, BroknToys, Börft Records and Furthur Elecktronix. Committing to releases when the time is right rather than meeting any particular schedule, his palette clearly lends itself towards spacious atmospherics with an every so slightly paranoid undertone. All underpinned by his meticulous drum programming and a healthy dose of 303 when the moment calls for it.

With the advent of his third full-length album landing on Pariter, Yossi Amoyal’s side hustle and sister imprint of Sushitech. We couldn’t help but shout out loud and fist pump for joy, as Bergman’s follow up to his 2020 Furthur Electronix LP sees him unleashing a whole new chapter in purist simplicity on “Mirror Counterpart”.

With 8 shimmering slices of hypnotic groove that ooze pure class in what might be his most ear pleasing output to date. The LP is a powerful concoction of 808-driven fusion in a modus operandi that would be fitting of Claro Intellecto, Convextion or Soylent Green’s interstellar explorations. An album that’s a fully cohesive collection of Electro fused Techno with more than a nod to Acid House’s roots, featuring some truly impressive touches.

From the opening roll of the title track on Disc 1, Bergman opts for Gerald Donald’s futurist vision at the heart and start of this trip, unleashing a sonically seductive charm offensive that plunges you deep under his spell.  Followed neatly by the arpeggiated waves of “Unexpected Behaviour”, bubbling offset tones swirl overhead as you fall further into the abyss. The rubbery bass end of “Indeterminacy” feels somewhat more upbeat as melodic elements ride a pulsating drum track. A theme which continues in “Stellar Triangulation”, only this time paying a deft homage to the class of ’88 in the process.

Over on Disc 2, Bergman heads further into 4/4 robotic funk mode as the shady tones “Alice Matter” resonate, before expanding our horizons with the celestial tones of “Cloud Chamber”. To bring the mood back, the driving energy of “Aestivation” injects more urgency to the task at hand, before he signs off with the dreamy drawl of “Uncertainty Principle”.

A future classic? We certainly wouldn’t bet against it. Either way, “Mirror Counterpart” is one purchase you will enjoy with repeated listening at home or in the club.