***** Sandwell District – End Beginnings LP (The Point Of Departure PODR012S1 – 2025)

The wait for the comeback of Sandwell District (SD) has clearly outscored the active phase of the collective. After the maiden album and absolute techno classic “Feed-Forward” in 2010, SD and their self-titled label gradually pulled the plug for an uncertain time. Though they weren’t totally quiet, teasing the public once a while. In 2024, they issued a back catalogue snapshot “Where Next?”, a title that raised more questions than gave answers about the group’s future. Especially when its publisher was as cryptically titled The Point Of Departure Recording Company. Meanwhile, the individual members went ahead with releasing new music. Dave Sumner aka Function, Karl O’Connor aka Regis and Juan Mendez, whose Silent Servant EP “In Memoriam” on Tresor turned out as a shocking prophecy due to his untimely passing along with two friends in January 2024.

Now SD has reconnected to the world with “End Beginnings”, its title again fiddling with the indefinite, between demise and survival. Having faced an empty spot left by Mendez, the group firmly believe that the life goes on and have invited to the album collaborators: Mønic, Rivet, Rrose and Sarah Wreath. On the album, SD resumes its quest with countless shades of percussion. Especially in the first half, which is an assemblage of their signature sounds. “Dreaming” breaks out to a tour across different geographies and cultures, guided by witch doctor drums and whispering fairies. “Self-Initiate” intercepts beeps from higher levels of atmosphere, before the percussive passages are motoring ahead. “Will You Be Safe” keeps the traction with broken patterns and “Restless” is a full-fledged post-midnight crowd pleaser.

Playing with too much perfection? 

The first part is about sculptural techno and bears a certain elitist attitude. Being rather flawless, it may raise the question if the same perfection may feel dullish too. However, the second half of the album doesn’t leave any doubts. After sneaking half-ambient intro and enigmatic voices in “Least Travelled”, campfire guitar chords are hypnotically crying for blues. “Citrintas Acid” pairs 303 with IDM, jumping from initial downtempo to the floor, which is a homely place for “Hidden” with untamed acidic pressure. As the title says, the last track “The Silent Servant” is a sonic eulogy to a lost member of the original crew, with punching drums and celestial pads expressing the loss.

“End Beginnings” is an impressive return of champions and not reserved to a lucky few, because even the limited blue vinyl comes as an edition of 2,000 copies. They aren’t closing this chapter yet as “End Beginnings Demos” will be available on Bleep in June, featuring four album versions that are ‘more lo-fi and low-key, mistier and mysterious’.

Buy vinyl:
Juno (UK)
Decks (DE)
Bleep (UK)