TuneLab
Menesix
Mixmag Lab Amsterdam | The Social Hub
Menesix’s Lab Amsterdam set is a masterclass in the kind of minimal techno that operates on a hypnotic, sub-aquatic frequency—the sort of music that makes you notice the specific way dust moves in a laser beam. We’re in a clean, modern space, probably all wearing black, collectively achieving enlightenment through the sheer repetition of a perfectly tuned hi-hat. The technical framework is impeccably tight: a constant, driving 130 BPM, with the foundational key of 12A appearing a staggering 18 times, creating a mesmerizing, loop-based tapestry. The energy is profoundly low-end focused, a deep, resonant throb that feels physical, while the mids offer subtle melodic pulses and the occasional vocal snippet—this is techno as a trance-inducing tool.
The crate digging here is all about texture and groove. 'Bombero Calling' by Chinonegro opens with a raw, percussive call to arms. Tracks like Rooléh’s 'Cabana' and Davide Mazzilli’s 'The Beat' are exercises in stripped-back, functional elegance. 'Lisa' by Jake Bleu & Daniel Stacks introduces a warmer, almost deep house chord progression, while Igluu’s 'Stutter' lives up to its name with a gripping, glitchy rhythm.
The programming is flawless, each track a puzzle piece in a larger, driving picture. The journey begins with that primal, percussive opener, builds intensity through layered, rolling grooves, and finds a moment of percussive, Latin-tinged release with the closing 'Mas Que Nada' by Daniel Stacks. It’s a pristine example of modern minimal techno, designed for dark rooms and long, losing-yourself moments.