Released: November 22, 2019
Amelie Lens’ first mix for Fabric opens with the kind of ebb and flow that makes me love electronic dance music. The ambient soundscape in “Theory of Relativity” drops into a beat that makes your heart rush a little faster, and the retro techno melody of “Limits of Real” builds and evolves and builds and evolves until WHAM! the whole thing opens up with that thunderous kick that I can only describe as Amelie.
Lens’ song selection and pacing is perfect. Her beats are huge but never cross into the vapid commercialism that you envision when a reviewer talks about huge beats. She knows when to bring the energy down so that you’re surprised all over again when she drops that kick on you.
If you don’t love electronic dance music, then Fabric Presents Amelie Lens isn’t for you. If you like techno that is simultaneously classic and modern, however, you should love this. Her sets are thoughtful, well-crafted, and incredibly energetic.
Bonus: Lens’ pandemic sets on her YouTube channel are a lot of fun. She has a wonderful charisma and it’s a pleasure to watch her interact with her cats while she’s working.
I started watching on youtube and it’s hard. I can’t figure out how she’s doing what she’s doing. I can watch a really good guitarist and not be able to do what he’s doing, but it mostly makes sense to me. But DJ stuff is a total mystery to me. Normally, I like when I don’t understand something, but it’s almost like I get hung up on how she’s doing what she’s doing. I’m not saying I don’t like it. I do. I’m just having a hard time just listening when I watch the sets on youtube.
I completely understand what you’re saying. Over the years when I was playing, I learned basics on playing piano, guitar, bass, cello, saxophone, and clarinet. Understanding those gave me a sense of understanding about pretty much every instrument out there. Even theramin makes sense to me. DJing, however, completely baffles me. Perhaps more than anything other than violin, it is an instrument where the difference between amateurs and masters truly shines.
Try watching her cats. They’re fun to watch.