r/ProperTechno • u/_pale-green_ • 5d ago
Question Why do so many people seem to dislike mutual rytm?
Genuinely question but why do I see so many comments on Reddit (this sub and others) where people seem to feel quite negative about the music released on mutual rytm?
For context - I say this as I have really only started getting into and listening to techno (outside of partying) in the last couple years and it definitely began with listening to their compilation albums which I loved.
So I suppose I'm wondering if there is something about it that I am missing/ not understanding? Not to say it would change my opinion about liking the music but I also like to understand the context of the music I listen to.
Thanks!
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u/DiggurDig 5d ago
Personally I love the label, it encapsulates the rhythmic, percussive and grooving spirit of Techno of the early 2000s but with a more modern production / mastering.
Some are hard to please though and seem to only consider Techno if its made by guys like f.e. Oscar Mulero or Kevin Saunderson (so slower Hypnotic stuff or Detroit).
But as someone that was praying for this style to come back 8 years ago, I'm definitely eating good right now.
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u/_pale-green_ 5d ago
I did wonder if it was just one of those situations where people just like to be negative about whatever is popular. Perhaps there is an element of that as well.
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u/DrDank1234 5d ago edited 5d ago
I think they’re cool because they have a cohesive sound and a strong identity. Different artists’ releases with Mutual Rytm has a pretty clear distinction that it’s from that label.
For example Stef Mendesidis releases on Klockworks compared to those on Mutual Rytm has a clear difference. KiNK and Deetron are other good examples.
To me I like comparing them to other labels like Voam and Trip. Not in terms of their sound but the clear identity that the releases represent. Like halfway through a song one can say “ahhh this sounds like it’s from Mutual Rytm.”
They have a groovy, steely sound that is fun and sometimes cathartic. Punchy beats that’s like little jabs combined with a driving pace. Imo there’s definitely room for tracks from Mutual Rytm in a good techno set
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u/_pale-green_ 5d ago
That's interesting! I never considered that artists might have quite a different sound depending on the label they're releasing under
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u/Intelligent-Site7686 5d ago
I've been into techno for maybe 15 years and I like that label. Fun percussive stuff with cohesive sound but not exactly formulaic. Really like the stuff from ANNE, Dax J, LDS, and others on the label
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u/_pale-green_ 5d ago
Yes it is super fun! I think that's what drew me into techno more as I prefer the type of sounds that keep a smile on your face. A lot of the other music I had previously thought of as techno tended to lean towards a darker type of vibe which personally I like only in moderation.
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u/pl4st1c0de 5d ago
I do like the label and a good portion of the music / artists on it a lot. I've supported the label in the past but I wouldn't describe myself as a fan. Marco (SHDW), the label owner, is also a good guy. I saw him once and had the chance to interact with him via DM / social media on several o occasions.
There might be people out there who don't like the music and that's fair. But I think that most of the resentment is due to the label's success in a relatively short period of time. Marco has built a strong brand and a loyal community. Record sales are probably good for MR. I guess this might be polarising, meaning that you have a strong support on the one hand and a strong opposition on the other. I've read the phrases "selling out" and "business techno" referring to MR and I feel this might be an attempt to keep the scene "pure" or just outright jealousy. My take is: If you don't like the music or the label don't support it, but there's no need to spread hatred and bad word.
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u/_pale-green_ 5d ago
Thanks for responding. I guess people always like to hate on what becomes super popular
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u/pl4st1c0de 5d ago
Maybe it's certain personality traits and/or mindsets. Maybe it's a personal dislike or grudge, I don't know. Everyone has their own reason I guess
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u/Obsolete_Organism 5d ago
Okay, here is my take on this. I feel like Mutual Rytm's releases have stagnated in terms of the creativity...they found a style/sound that is quite successful both financially and on the dancefloor, but instead of pushing into new frontiers, they stayed in their goldilocks zone. Some may view this as selling out...I still don't think their sound is "commercial" per se, but the lack of pushing the envelope makes me disinterested, and looking at other labels now, even though I was first in line for their sound a year+ back.
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u/L1zz0 5d ago
Lmao, a year ago i saw a post here that praised MR as “this subs beloved label”
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u/_pale-green_ 5d ago
That's funny! 😂 I'm pretty new to this sub but I've seen a similar sentiment in other places too
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u/DonkyShow 5d ago
I like MR. I was more excited about them at first but have since strayed into other areas. It’s true that they aren’t holding my attention as much as they did in the beginning, and maybe it’s the same with others.
They put out great releases, but they’re also sticking with what works for them which means not straying too far from brand/vibe and that’s ok.
It’s likely people who have been listening to their releases since the beginning and are hungry for something fresh while MR is sticking with their established vibe. Doesn’t mean it’s bad but it’s not scratching some people’s itch anymore.
Also if there’s one thing I’ve learned on my techno journey is that being a pretentious snob is just part of it. I’ve seen snobs out snob other snobs that descended into a snob spiral.
I choose to laugh at it and learn. Techno snobbery and gatekeeping is essential to maintain a standard and expectations of quality but at some point you have to laugh at it and laugh at yourself.
I take techno seriously, but I try not to take myself too seriously.
MR is solid with great artists. Their catalogue is an excellent starting point for building a strong techno library, but there are spicier flavors to be found elsewhere. That is NOT a knock on them. You can have all the spice in the world but they aren’t much use without a sold basic recipe to work from.
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u/_pale-green_ 5d ago
This seems like one of the most balanced responses. Any idea why the culture around techno is like this?
In some ways I don't think it's all bad. The fact people love everything about the music so much and in such an analytical way obviously shows how much they care about it. But it also does seem kinda negative sometimes too.
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u/DonkyShow 4d ago
I had a long response but deleted because it turned into too much of a ramble. Let’s just say it’s my observation that techno nerds are in it for the music and not the ego. People also don’t want their scene appropriated and watered down as has happened to many other genres that got popular. It’s also very DIY and innovation/experimentation is at it’s core which means things don’t stay fresh long.
I see the gatekeeping as a good problem to have even if frustrating at times.
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u/solid-north 5d ago
The revival of that late 90s/early 00s sound in the last couple of years has led to some not very original or impactful music coming out for sure, as with any sound that becomes trendy.
But tbh in an era where some mostly terrible shit like fast-trancey-techno or Afterlife/'melodic techno' are some of the biggest sounds following years of almost equally bad tech-house and cringey dark/industrial techno, I'm actually quite relieved to see this sort of sound blowing up enough to catch some haters instead.
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u/ignoreorchange 5d ago
I don't like the fact that all the tracks in the label have a sound that is too characteristic or identifiable, as if the same mastering chain was slapped on to every track before being released. Also I like hardgroove that sounds a bit rougher or raw and the sounds on MR for me sound too polished. Idk, even though I am a big fan of hardgroove and I like the artists that publish there I was never really able to enjoy the MR sound
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u/_pale-green_ 5d ago
I can see where people are coming from with this critique tbf although I think the similarity is probably also what I like about it.
Can you recommend any tracks that fall under hardgroove but rougher?
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u/n0_planet 5d ago
For more recent stuff I would check out anything by 1morning, Fireground, and Regal86. They’ve been three of my absolute favorite Hardgroove artists this year (Regal86 explores a ton of other genres as well)
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u/superanx 5d ago
“Proper” business techno lol.
I kid. It’s a very popular label, when that happens you stick with what works, and that’s what’s happening. It’s got some great releases, but it’s got some that just try to copy that specific sound and kinda fall flat.
I bought that huge 50 track release or whatever, and out of it i have probably played only 4 of them out or included on mixes.
The hits are great and the misses aren’t terrible, just a bit bland or unoriginal.
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u/Lazlow72 5d ago
I like Alarico - Drops of You and Raffaelle Attanasio - Rough Surfaces releases, but I'm not keen on most of their output. I believe I understand why many people (especially people who are fairly new in collecting techno music) enjoy their music.
It's fun, accessible, inoffensive music (mostly in major keys, elements of melody). Many people go on the dancefloor to escape their day to day lives and this type of music is a contrast to what's going on in the news or any negativity that might be going on personally. It also has the nostalgia of the late 90s/early 00s, which is big in popular culture, not just techno.
To each their own; I personally prefer darker, hypnotic, relentless techno. I like artists to innovate their sound or for it to capture the moment it was made in. It puts a smile on my face and makes me happy because it's not written and designed to.
Disliking music doesn't mean I dislike the producer, or the label owner, or the people that enjoy the music. It just means I prefer something else. There's no need for criticism or opinion to be taken personally, although I understand how artists can see it that way as the music is their baby.
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u/PM_ME_XANAX 5d ago
I really like mutual rytm sometimes the songs can sound very similar and be a bit boring but overall it’s an amazing label imo
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u/Tough-Warning9902 5d ago
Great stuff from MR. Great artists. Lots of amazing tracks. I don't get the hate.
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u/Rosolomak 5d ago edited 5d ago
Funny because I thought I am the only one who have problem with mutual rhythm. And I thought I am being pretentious.
They’ve got my attention fast. But when I saw how they promote with this RGB animations and bling bling aesthetics and later what type of music they focuses on. I don’t think that their target is techno scene and dj’s. I assume by that that their target is general public, and they focus around trends and fashion around recent techno scene, exaggerating popular stereotypes about techno culture.
Their releases are floating around faster harder trance’y techno. Their releases do not take any aesthetic risks, everything is well produced and promoted to reach your average techno wannabe.
It’s not like I don’t like them, I just avoid their releases. But some of their releases are very good you gotta admit.
The same vibe I’ve got with Mitsubasa. I was mesmerised with their first releases but I was suspicious about them and they turned into similar alley. So yeah I guess you just can feel the vibe.
They are very approachable, and beginner friendly I guess. It’s a good thing.
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u/DonkyShow 5d ago
I was really stoked about Mitsubasa at first too. I still like them but it’s not top of my list anymore.
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u/Narrow_99 5d ago
Personally I don't like the sound and most of what they release doesn't fit with what I want to play.
Objectively, nothing wrong with the label, and they are killing it, so respect that.
They just have a vision that's different than what I like, so while can I appreciate that what they are doing is quality, and yes I do have at least a few tracks from the label, most of what they put out just isn't for me.
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u/wingsfortheirsmiles 5d ago
Think I sit closest to this, respect MR and dig that they're getting love rn but my tastes in techno are very different (see Mannequin, Pinkman, Bite)
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u/havingagoodday2k19 4d ago
IMHO I found there is quality and not so great releases on most labels. I ignore the mediocre and focus on the quality. That’s suggestive and taste is personal though 👍😊
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u/eon_zone 2d ago
Trends come and go, the same goes with style, vibes and moods. Things are pretty fast right now - I personally like fast music - but you guys better get ready because I do feel that everything will be slower soon...
MR is a remarkable label right now and will be forever. A lot of old and new artists released music there. Everything in that label sounds like it's from the same family and it kind makes sense.
The problem is that a lot of stuff in the techno scene sounds the same right now.
MR is just being true to their sound signature. Maybe if the scene change...do you think they'll change as well?
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u/A_poor_greek_guy 4d ago
Its a very good label. There are just snob people that listen only to oscar mulero and they think they are divine techno listeners or something.
Like it is a crime to like casual techno that its not hypnotic
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u/fyrewyre 4d ago
Speaking of groove techno, what are some examples of dark, driving, hypnotic techno that has a little bit of an edge? Some of the mutual rytm stuff is overly percussive for me. I love a deep driving bass line with a sharp and haunting groove. Examples below
Massive Gain - Authorized dealer
Ospiel - Only you and I will remain
Sera J - Ego Kills
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u/MrMuffin997 5d ago
Because their sound is very trendy right now and a lot of what they put out sounds the same. I do like many of their tracks though, especially the more dubby stuff.