I must’ve been in a haze for the last week, because I almost forgot to post this one. I heard it during the opening DJ set at the last of three Empire of the Sun shows on Sunday, June 30. I didn’t catch the name of the DJ. He wasn’t visible onstage. But he was definitely spinning live … just unseen. And he had a wild collection of vintage “hi-tech” commercials from the ’70s and ’80s displayed on one of Empire’s big LED screens. Honestly, I had no idea there were so many adverts that looked like the original “Tron.” Anyway, somewhere towards the end of the set, he played Giu Boratto’s techno opus “Beautiful Life,” which I don’t even think I noticed until I was well into its groove. I just kinda rolled with it, caught off guard, thankfully thinking just enough to Shazam it before slipping away.
Clearly, I fell in love with this track. It’s a beautifully epic piece of progressive techno, completely euphoric and infectiously euphonic. It’s super high energy, or at least feels that way, consistently peaking at a vibrant 125 bpm’s. Surprisingly, it never overwhelms. Yet it’s got its sights set on the sky, with clear intentions to elevate and illuminate. It zips around and around in a whirligig of ear-to-ear oscillation, then catapults you above the clouds, surfing a perfect synthwave of tactile ecstatic sensation. It ain’t called “Beautiful Life” for nothing.
The thing I can’t fathom is that this track came out in 2007. This one’s been sitting around for 12 years, and I’m only hearing it today … or a week ago from Sunday, to be precise. I’d like to think I’m pretty up on my electronic music. I mean, I’m no expert. But I am an avid fan, particularly if the tags for techno, progressive, deep, house, or tech are used in any or all combinations. Guess I was going through something back then, because I totally missed it.
So after a little bit of research, here’s my brief catch-up. Boratto’s from São Paulo, but his music is distributed on the renown German techno label Kompact. He’s one of the label’s standouts, due to his melodic take on the techno and tech-house genres. He also incorporates elements of house and new wave, and even throws in some vocals to boot. In fact, “Beautiful Life” has this little bassline towards the end that respectfully channels Peter Hook … probably early ’90s New Order, to be precise. And the dreamy vocals come courtesy of Boratto’s wife, Luciana Villanova.
Boratto’s got at least four albums between a “Beautiful Life” and his latest 2018 LP “Pentagram.” So I’ve got a bit of catching up to do. But for shits and giggles, I threw on “Pentagram” just to see what’s what. I’ve heard a few mixed reviews . And I’m not that far into it. But I’m liking what I’m hearing. At the start, it’s got a total ’80s vibe going on, almost analog sounding. And it’s melodic as hell. Yet feels mature, developed, and a logical evolution, from say, the club crashing sound of ’07. Great to see that he’s not sticking to the same shores, as wonderful as they may be.
For now, though, let’s start at the beginning and work our way forwards. Here’s Giu Boratto’s “Beautiful Life.” Let’s begin with the Soundcloud embed, since it’s got the full 8 minute mix in one go. The Spotify embed follows, which excerpts the peaking bits in an almost seamless loop. You can do with that as you please. Otherwise, enjoy a “Beautiful Life”!
“Beautiful Life” from the 2007 album “Chromophobia.”
And since I’m feeling this latest album, here’s a track I’m currently enjoying. It’s called “The Black Bookshelf,” and it’s totally different from “Beautiful Life.” It’s still trademarked in endorphin rushed euphoric highs. But it’s also rhythmically looser, and smoother, making for a more chilled-down, laid back and lackadaisical affair. Find your best horizontal position and enjoy this sublimely subdued groove.
“The Black Bookshelf” from the 2018 album “Pentagram.”
