They run in the same circles (outside of Kompakt, they have many other obvious connections), but there’s something unobvious about the affinity between the sounds of Matias Aguayo and DJ Koze. They make music in genres that demand stern structure, yet they repeatedly find their successes around the edges. When others choose to button their shirts up to the neck, Aguayo and Koze opt for playful, floppy, and loose, all the while keeping it noir.

While both are obviously talented, Aguayo seems to lag a little behind. Koze had his year in 2008 (“No Sleep,” “Zou Zou,” “Abudiga,” etc.), with no signs of slowing down in 2009. Without compromising himself, Koze found the perfect balance between appealing and unusual that has everybody eating off of his deck. Listening to any of Aguayo’s productions, you can immediately tell the ideas are there. In fact, occasionally, he’ll hit the mark exactly (see “Lineas” below). But there’s always a slight awkwardness to his tracks that prevent me from falling in love. Maybe he doesn’t want the spotlight? Maybe he values the weird niche he’s made for himself as an art-techno fringe dweller? Keep your fingers crossed.

On “Walter Neff” (a references to the relatively vague film “Double Indemnity”) Aguayo goes pop, leaning on an almost goofy bassline and the same kind of ramshackle percussion section he used in “Minimal.” It’ll definitely burrow its way into your head if you’re not careful — there’s something about Germans singing English that’s almost cutesy.

Matias Aguayo, “Walter Neff”
[audio:http://www.needledrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/01-walter-neff-original-mix.mp3]

From a couple years back, this is one of my all time favorites. It’s defiantly catchy, savage-techno that’s so different, it’s hard to imagine it sitting side by side with another track and not totally mauling it. Try and work it into a set.

Matias Aguayo, “Lineas”
[audio:http://www.needledrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/2-03-lineas.mp3]

And the intersection. Koze fills in the skeletal funk with glistening disco.
Matias Aguayo, “Minimal (DJ Koze Radio Edit)”
[audio:http://www.needledrop.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/minimal-dj-koze-radio-edit1.mp3]