Ken Ishii, the Japanese icon whose name has been etched into techno’s DNA since the ’90s, is back on Christian Smith’s Tronic label with a four-track stormer that reminds everyone why he’s still a force. Packing three originals and a remix from Istanbul’s Procombo, this EP doesn’t just knock on techno’s door—it kicks it down.
From the jump, Giant Killer sets the tone with its arms-wide-open energy, blending chest-rattling basslines and soaring leads built for festival chaos. But Ishii isn’t here to play it safe. He pivots sharply into hardgroove territory with a gritty, loop-driven weapon, all hammering kicks and metallic textures that feel like a nod to techno’s sweat-soaked basement roots. Then, just as the tension peaks, he shifts gears again with a Detroit-flavored cut—think luminous chords cascading over a driving rhythm, a soulful counterbalance to the EP’s harder edges.
Tronic’s secret weapon here, though, is Procombo. The Turkish artist takes Giant Killer and twists it into something darker and deeper, layering hypnotic synth spirals over a relentless groove. It’s the kind of remix that doesn’t just rework the original but reimagines it, proving why Procombo’s stock is rising fast in the global circuit.
What makes this release stand out? Ishii’s refusal to stick to one lane. In three tracks, he swings from euphoric to industrial to melodic, flexing decades of expertise without sounding nostalgic. Add Procombo’s modern, peak-time reinterpretation, and it’s a package that bridges eras and scenes—exactly what Tronic does best.
For DJs, collectors, or anyone craving techno that’s both brainy and brawny, Ishii’s latest is a no-brainer. Cue it up, and let the machinery roar.
