A Closer Listen
Belgian electronic producer risus has been releasing EPs consistently over the course of the past two years, to date totaling 20 tracks and 90 minutes of music and no album. The method of release calls into question the entire concept of an album, as the digital era no longer requires physical formats; but we can’t help pointing out that his first-half output in 2025 alone would fit beautifully on two sides of vinyl.
While it would be appropriate to add the word “mysterious” to the moniker, risus does provide clues about the inner workings of his mind and the themes of his EPs. Each release is accompanied by a short sentence, which one might consider clues or koans. The first of these, perhaps the overture to his work: “In self-fashioned dreams, we discover refuge from an imperfect world.” These words accompany Ziduja, a single-track release from July 2023. The music eases its way in, humble and unassuming, gathering warmth as it develops. The first tag is deep house, although the producer will not be confined to a single electronic genre. When the music is this soothing, it is indeed a refuge, the sonic version of the imagination. risus extends the theme later the same month on Atlantis: “The greatest wonders may not be found on maps, but rather, within the uncharted territories of our own minds.” The track is a bit harder, more immediate, demonstrating a growing engagement. The watery, trancelike breakdown is reminiscent of those found in classic Global Underground mixes.
A month later, risus provides another clue, implying that he may be married. Wifey contains the quote, “We are nurtured by the feminine touch of life.” Or is the reference meant as metaphoric? The music is now nudging toward minimal techno, with distorted voice repeating the title. This is the first short track (2:47) that risus has released; there will be five shorter, while the longest will reach nearly nine minutes. Aphasia proclaims, “”When we lose touch with words, we search for meaning within,” which matches the first two releases, as well as the ethos of our site. This is the artist’s strongest track to date, marked by a compelling synth line, the sign of even greater things.
The calendar turns to 2024. risus will release three EPs this year, includes two double-trackers, the first of which is Sens. “Hesitation to catch a wave, scatters dreams,” writes risus. Could he be a surfer, or is this another metaphor? If so, it’s easy to apply, not only to his career, but to all listeners. As is fitting, Sens is the most ambitious offering to date, beginning with the moody and beautiful “Rose,” too slow for the average dancer, defined by exquisite texture and gradual build. This leads to “Reverie,” the artist’s longest offering, patient and spacious, perfect highway music, a wide vista of sound. The breakdowns are gorgeous, the returns divine. This EP represents risus’ turning point, the moment he plunges into the swell, caution thrown to the wind.
Herrier refers to both hawk and dog, the pun intentional: “The harrier prays silently, knowing each moment brings it closer to its preyers.” By this time the reader knows that risus is also referring to dreams. Handclaps and heartbeats pollinate the track, as if to reflect both hunter and prey. Light chimes appear for the first time, exuding a hint of lightness. And then, continuing the avian theme, Phoenix: risus’ defining moment. Introducing the two-track EP, the artist writes, “In the furnace of existence, the soul remains untouched, a flame eternal, undiminished by the trials of mortal fire.” “Embers” is akin to “Rose” in that it concentrates on anticipation and mood. “Revive” is the artist’s signature moment, a battle between darkness and light, culminating in a resurrection. The piece is incredibly clubworthy, resting on the precipice of both house and trance. At this point, the listener is primed, eager for more; instead, they will have to wait nearly a year.
Muroze, released only a month ago, begins the second phase of risus, akin to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Having found a winning formula, risus will continue to release tracks in pairs. Drawing a line to Phoenix, the artist writes, “The lingering flame consumes, its embers searing the soul and leading us to serenity.” The tracks are simply titled “Lingering” and “Flame.” Flipping the script, the meatier track launches first, snapping fingers an indication of comfort, the chords echoing – yes, lingering – in the quiet center. At 1:26, “Flame” is the artist’s shortest track, awash in ambient glow, no longer than it needs to be. If playing risus’ tracks in release order, one might even consider it an introduction to “Origins,” the opening track of Sear; and seeing the statement “The smouldering resin that hazes our thoughts and never lets us go,” one might also re-consider the discography and conclude that Phoenix, Muroze and Sear form a half-hour flame trilogy, the first sign that an album might make sense. “Trichomes” follows, the artist’s fastest track to date, a natural ending, now fully in the techno arena for the first time.
And now we have the privilege of traveling into the not-so-distant future. Avian, Blur and Veil are set for release on April 11, May 2 and May 23. Avian‘s two tracks, “Allure” and “Starling,” return to the land of deep house, the first sparse, sporting a birdlike cry, the second murkier, another shift for an artist who continues to surprise. And then, as if to relent, risus reappears with his brightest track to date. “Closed Reyes,” from Blur, flies confidently into spring, aloft on wings of hope. While his voice appears briefly on “Closed Reyes,” on “Pure” we hear the artist singing for the first time, integrating his voice into a bed of uplifting electronics, a soft emergence; and then we remember that risus means smile. On Veil, the artist’s first three-track EP, the expansion continues. “4.20 pH” is the artist’s most ambient track to date, demonstrating a penchant for piano. “Liminal” starts softly, then slowly begins to bloom; and “Alkaline” awakens and stretches its petals to the sun.
From this point forward, risus might head in any direction, from ambient to deep house to techno. We do glean an overriding theme: the artist is following his dreams, and encouraging listeners to do the same. In doing so, we may find “refuge from an imperfect world.” (Richard Allen)
Fri Mar 28 00:01:43 GMT 2025