Lyra Valenza

Lyra Valenza (formerly known as Lyra) is the duo of Jens Konrad and Hjalte (who also runs the Petrola 80 label). The duo crafts sound that stands between the dynamic energy of the ‘90s rave continuum and sophisticated dance music deconstruction. Their pointillist grooves merge with sharply mellow synth pads and intense rhythmic attacks that are sometimes reminiscent of heavier IDM moments. The compositions burst with architectural vastness and precision, yet retain a wild and groovy sensibility. It could serve perfectly as a prime-time banger on some artsy futuristic dancefloor floating among symmetrical glassy skyscrapers. This aesthetic bloomed in full on their most recent EP Scan, Deliver released on Black Opal, the Opal Tapes vinyl offshoot. It is also seen on their digitally surreal videos. Apart from being involved in Lyra Valenza, Jens also operates as Severin. A review of his excellent debut EP can be found here.

In the records

STM 273 mostly consists of music made by Danish artists circulating around the aforementioned Petrola 80 and related labels. The mix contains lots of forthcoming and unreleased stuff from up-and-coming artists of the thriving Danish scene. This dense and structured mix won’t let you rest for a moment and will immerse you in rhythmic, synthetic madness with occasional elegant atmospheric undercurrents bristling like a cool wind in some Nordic urban landscape. The breezy ambience of Merd Laleh and sci-fi drones of Xenia Xamanek are followed by the spacious and vivid experimental garage of Yelzin or the aquatic bubble-gum jungle of DJ Sports. Thus the narrative is consistent and adventurous, including sharp, unpredictable twists. The dynamics of the mix reflect the vision of Lyra Valenza, Petrola 80 and their future aesthetic endeavours. They seem to be gleaming with steel-glass reflections, structured density and vast atmospheric appeal.