Oxia

Olivier Raymond has come a long way since the release of his debut album more than eight years ago. The French tech-house superstar has been battling his way to fame with a string of significantly memorable EPs on imprints like Tsuba, 8bit and Kompakt. Once enthralled in the driving hypnotics of early Detroit techno, Olivier's productions have gradually slowed, softened and embraced the constructs of today's house music. Tides of Mind builds on the spirit of his radiant Infine single, "Less Time," by presenting a deeply polished, jazz-glazed party record that flirts with the limits of his creative capacity. Oxia's second full-length doesn't reach too far or high. From the record's whimsical prologue, "Premiss," you're immediately introduced to an emotive side of the Grenoble native previously masked behind a history of peak-time beats. While lead vocals and ventures into downtempo are refreshing expeditions, Raymond's talents clearly shine when keeping it deep, melodic and instrumental.