UNTER STRØM - Between Forms
Electronic duo UNTER STRØM have officially unveiled their new four-track EP ‘Between Forms’, delivering a cinematic collision of techno, electronic, club, party, and dance influences. Forged between Los Angeles and San Diego, the project brings together Alex Gonzales of Matte Blvck and John Kunkel of The New Division and John Grand, two longtime collaborators who share a passion for pushing darker electronic sounds into new territory.
With ‘Between Forms’, UNTER STRØM create an experience that feels equally at home in a warehouse, a festival set, or blasting through your headphones during an intense gym session. Across four distinct productions—“Orynth,” “Fold,” “Fragment,” and “Stumbling”—the duo explores industrial textures, melodic tension, hypnotic rhythms, and expansive atmospheres.
Opening the EP, “Orynth” immediately establishes UNTER STRØM’s identity. Originally released as their first single through Breathing Records, the track combines driving rhythmic energy with cinematic depth. Gonzales initially sketched the opening movements before Kunkel expanded the idea with time-stretched atmospheres and intricate melodic details. The result is an immersive introduction that constantly balances tension and release. Mixed by Aaron Short, “Orynth” carries a polished finish without losing the raw intensity that defines the duo.
Next comes “Fold,” which takes a darker, more restrained approach. Built around hypnotic low-end pressure, industrial textures, mechanical percussion, and subtle melodic movement, the track sinks deeper into minimalist techno territory. Its pulsing bass feels like a heartbeat while layers of evolving sound slowly pull the listener into a shadowy late-night atmosphere. Gonzales began the foundation while flying to Calgary, later sending the session to Kunkel, whose atmospheric instincts helped transform the concept into its final form. “Fold” is a masterclass in restraint, making it an excellent choice for those moments when you need a steady, relentless rhythm to power through a workout.
“Fragment” represents an important evolution for UNTER STRØM, as it was the first track the duo created entirely together in the same room. During a writing retreat at Los Angeles’ legendary Sound Factory, Gonzales and Kunkel spent two uninterrupted days following their instincts without schedules or expectations. Originally intended as an exclusive live ID, “Fragment” grew into one of their defining productions. Its constantly evolving arrangement avoids predictable repetition, reflecting the spontaneous chemistry between the two producers.
Closing the EP is “Stumbling,” arguably the most atmospheric and emotionally exposed track of the collection. Shifting arpeggios, submerged textures, and evolving rhythms create an almost weightless feeling, conjuring images of open landscapes, forests, rain, and wandering through somewhere unfamiliar. Yet despite its dreamy qualities, the track never completely abandons the dance floor. Interestingly, the majority of “Stumbling” emerged during an afternoon that wasn't even intended to be a writing session. Rather than overworking the project, the duo allowed its original character to remain intact, creating an organic and emotionally resonant finale.
‘Between Forms’ is a compelling introduction to UNTER STRØM’s world—dark, cinematic, energetic, and deeply atmospheric. Each track explores a different corner of their sound while maintaining a cohesive identity, making this four-piece collection an easy recommendation for techno lovers, club-goers, and anyone looking to dial into the present and future beyond. Level up within this legendary EP down below, here on Affinity Ascension.
