Magnus International - 9/10

Prins Thomas' Full Pupp is the perfect home for Magnus International's debut LP. The Norwegian DJ's disco on 'Echo Echo' is similar to that of Prins Thomas in so far as they're both unique electronic excursions that redefine what 'disco' actually means.

Magnus has been producing for years, with roots in early techno and Warp records, and cites Aphex Twin and LFO as his inspirations. That's certainly clear from this album: 'Rise Above', like many tracks on the LP, combines acid-infected synth work, inventive beat arrangements and masterful robotic vocoder work. The synth lines are sparse and ethereal, yet the record has a dark humour that ensures it's cheeky enough for peak-time house and disco sets - especially if you're more inclined to play Italo and dark disco over the live funk.