Don't Believe in Happiness by Jori Hulkkonen

Jori Hulkkonen is building towards his next full length album on My Favorite Robot, but before then comes a lead single with some fresh remixes from Zombies in Miami and Kiki.

Photo by Petteri Mero

Hulkkonen is a regular on this label and his last album came on it in 2015, with one before that coming in 2012. A prolific producer with a real mastery of his synths, he creates atmospheric soundtracks couched in techno but with a wide world of influences contained within.

The fantastic first track is ‘Don’t Believe in Happiness’, which is also the name of the album. It is a dark but beautiful track of synth laced ambience with only occasional kick drums somewhere deep down below. Gorgeous pads and melodies ring out in a church like fashion and elevate your soul in the process. Add in some whispered vocals and the whole thing has a tender ‘80s feel to it which leaves a lasting impression.

Mexican pair Zombies in Miami aka Canibal and Jenouise of labels like Correspondant and Suara then step up with a fine remix. Their smooth and seductive vision is more beat driven but remains deep and spiritual with a slithering lead synth line and supple drums all working you into a zoned out trance.

Last of all comes Kiki, the long time BPitch Control artist from Helsinki. His take on the track reworks it as something more song like, with great structure and plenty of tension in the way it builds through eerie vocals and sections of synth drama and eventually upright drums. It’s a blissful cut with an infectious beat and offers something refreshingly different.

This is another in a long line of standout and synth heavy tracks from Jori Hulkkonen that make the prospect of his next album all the more appealing.

Jori Hulkkonen - Don't Believe in Happiness
Release Date 15th September 2017
Label My Favorite Robot Records

Tracklist
1. Don't Believe in Happiness
2. Don't Believe in Happiness (Zombies in Miami Remix)
3. Don't Believe in Happiness (Kiki Remix)