- Solo albums like Borndom and Phillips paint Phillip Lauer as a lovesick softie for melodic house, but his other outlets, such as the Tuff City Kids duo with Gerd Janson, prove he's always game for a little hedonism. Which is the side he taps into on this Futureboogie two-tracker, a record laced with as much kinetic dance floor energy as '80s-inspired synths. Neither "Birsk" or "Kilian" are surprising in how they play out, but Lauer's tuneful sensibilities and way with momentum keep them engaging.
Picking a favorite from the two seems pointless, as both sides do solid work with a handful of similar ideas. The A-side title track could be called the anthem, a skybound roller driven by one big bassline, while "Kilian" keeps things playful and funky on the flip. With an enviable arsenal of gear at his disposal, Lauer is liberal with the amount of synths and percussion he weaves into the tracks, still careful to give each one a distinct flavor. But if pressed to choose, "Kilian" is the pick, if only for its sheer melodic variety and rhythmic potency. If used at the right time, "Birsk" will give your set a spring-loaded launchpad, but it's the B-side that's sure to keep everybody moving.