Alte Seele

The Giegling camp has always moved at its own pace, and Vril is no exception—the Berlin-based producer behind 2019’s celebrated Anima album resurfaces on Amsterdam’s Delsin with Alte Seele (“old soul”), a deep, dubbed-out techno four-tracker that finds him in contemplative form. It’s a patient record in every sense: nothing rushes, nothing shouts, and the title track carries the whole EP on its steady, knowing stride.

The original Alte Seele (Original Mix) is pure late-night material. A soft, cushioned kick settles into a warm, round bassline whilst pads drift through heavy dub delay, the whole arrangement smothered in a reverb that feels less like effect and more like atmosphere. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t so much build as breathe, every element arriving unhurriedly and staying just long enough. Its four and a half minutes pass in a haze, which is exactly the intention.

The three remixes each find a different angle on that core idea. Voiski’s Remix is the most expansive of the three, stretching the source material out over seven and a half minutes of rolling, warehouse-sized drums that push the groove into harder territory without losing its dubwise soul. Vril & Marcel Dettmann Bass Mix is exactly what its name promises—a co-credit that thins the texture out and lets a muscular, low-end pressure dominate, the most dancefloor-direct version here. His Master’s Voice Remix closes the EP with the most abstract take, pitching the pads into eerie, underwater territory whilst a brittle, percussive frame holds it together.

As a statement of intent for Vril’s Delsin tenure, Alte Seele is quietly impressive. The original offers a melody you’ll find yourself humming long after the record ends, and the remix package serves it with the reverence it deserves—no filler, just three distinct readings from artists who clearly hear something in the source. Whether you’re after headphone introspection or a bass-heavy peak-time tool, this EP has you covered. An old soul, indeed.

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