OTEE — Cloud Collision

Otee – Cloud Collision opens the Open Water catalogue with a 12-inch techno EP that feels like a direct line from Berlin’s club undercurrents to the listener’s headphones. Issued as OPNWTR01, the record presents five tracks that move from dream-like ambience to pressurised intensity, all built on a foundation of rhythm and space. The EP’s title hints at the collision of airy textures with grounded beats, a concept the producer explores throughout the release. The record arrives as the first transmission from Open Water, a label founded by Otee himself. While there are no other Open Water releases listed, the EP stands as a statement of the label’s aesthetic: hypnotic, loop-driven techno that privileges groove and atmosphere over flash. Otee’s background in Berlin’s club scene informs the music’s architecture, with each track designed to sustain momentum on the deep end of the floor. Side A begins with “Cloud Collision”, the title track that sets the tone with a steady, drum-centric pulse. The rhythm is foregrounded, allowing a subtle sense of movement to emerge from repetitive loops, creating a hypnotic ambience that feels both restrained and physical. “Moto” follows, extending the kinetic energy introduced earlier while introducing a slightly more driving momentum that pushes the groove forward. The third cut, “Aktion Reaktion”, deepens the pressure, layering loops that build tension without sacrificing the underlying swing that keeps the track dancefloor-ready. Flipping to side B, “Retrograde” offers a shift in perspective, pulling back the intensity to a more spacious, atmospheric groove. The track’s looping structure creates a sense of orbit, inviting DJs to use it as a transitional piece that can ease a set into a more introspective mood. The EP closes with “Parabola”, a track that arcs back toward the earth with a grounded, physical rhythm, yet retains the melodic hint that runs through the whole release. Its looping motifs provide a satisfying resolution, making it a useful closing statement for a set that has journeyed through the EP’s varied emotional terrain. Within Otee’s output, “Cloud Collision” reflects a consistent focus on rhythm first, a hallmark of the producer’s approach as described by the label. The EP’s five tracks illustrate a progression from ethereal dream states to heightened pressure and back again, offering a narrative arc that can be read by both the dancer and the DJ. By anchoring each piece in a drum-driven framework, Otee ensures the music remains adaptable for a range of set contexts, from deep-house-leaning moments to peak-time techno peaks. For collectors, the record offers a concise yet richly textured snapshot of contemporary Berlin techno, captured on a 12-inch vinyl that preserves the tactile experience of the genre. DJs will appreciate the EP’s emphasis on groove and its clear, loop-based structures, which lend themselves to seamless mixing and creative layering. The tracks’ restrained yet physical character makes them suitable for both long, evolving sets and more focused, high-energy moments. The release is pressed on 12-inch vinyl, matching the format’s traditional association with techno’s deep, analog sound. Its straightforward presentation lets the music speak without the distraction of additional embellishments, aligning with the label’s focus on pure rhythmic expression. Otee – Cloud Collision, Open Water, OPNWTR01, 12-inch vinyl, 5 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Otee – Cloud Collision A2. Otee – Moto A3. Otee – Aktion Reaktion B1. Otee – Retrograde B2. Otee – Parabola