Orion Arcana April TOP20: A Journey Into Hypnotic Techno
Orion presents his Arcana April TOP20, a selection that reads as a sonic map of the deepest, most hypnotic techno of the moment. The title is no accident: the first four tracks — Cups, Coins, Wands, and Swords, all produced by Orion himself — take their names from the suits of the tarot deck, weaving an esoteric narrative that runs through the entire chart. Released on MEUK Records, these four cuts oscillate between 139 and 141 BPM in minor keys that amplify their shadowy, ceremonial character. Wands, in A Major, briefly lifts the atmosphere before Swords pulls the listener back into C minor.
Heavyweights and Discoveries
The selection extends well beyond Orion's own universe. Fireground contributes The Way via the legendary Tresor Records, a historical anchor of Berlin techno that remains a hallmark of quality. Klint appears with Korum on Arts, a label synonymous with the genre's most cerebral output. Ferhat Albayrak marks his presence with K-Pluck on Jeton Records, one of Istanbul's leading techno imprints with a strong global footprint. Vakat delivers the longest track on the list: Legato, seven minutes at 138 BPM on MindTrip, designed to get lost inside.
Highlights and Moments of Tension
- Faquir – Oscar Sanchez (Translucent): At 144 BPM in C minor, it surges energy with surgical precision.
- Sattva – Jai Juu (Analog Solutions): The slowest cut on the list at 134 BPM in A Major, offering a meditative, near-ambient counterpoint.
- Uncertain Harmony – Sies (Scraps): One of two Peak Time / Driving entries alongside T.A.M's Yo No Se, pushing the intensity to 146 BPM.
- Be Fair – Orion (Absence of Facts): A closing statement in E Major — an unexpectedly luminous resolution for a list built on shadows.
Taken as a whole, the Arcana April TOP20 is a statement of intent: techno crafted with patience, depth and conceptual coherence. Orion proves that curating a chart can be just as artistic as producing an album.
