Ica Rus’ crafts a hypnotic Techno odyssey on immersive album, "This Way Home"
For an artist with over three decades of influence in techno and ambient music, Joel Mull knows exactly how to push the boundaries of electronic sound. Under his alias Ica Rus, Mull’s latest full-length offering, This Way Home, isn’t just an album—it’s an immersive sonic journey that pulls listeners deep into a hypnotic dreamstate. Recorded between 2020 and 2024 in Stockholm, this body of work is a masterclass in sustained energy, seamless flow, and forward-thinking production.
Mull’s signature touch is unmistakable here, but This Way Home is more than just a collection of meticulously engineered beats. It’s dance music with depth—crafted as much for the introspective listener as it is for the late-night dancefloor navigator. This is techno that breathes, pulses, and evolves, inviting the listener into a trance-like state while remaining grounded in intricate detail. Released via Motto Sono Records (managed from Helsinki in Finland, by Miia Magia & Mr. Barth aka Cari Lekebusch), this one is absolutely worth your time and energy to sink into.
From the moment the first track hums into existence, This Way Home establishes its hypnotic grip. The album flows as a singular experience—each track seamlessly bleeding into the next—yet Mull ensures there are clear moments of tension and release. The pacing is impeccable, balancing elongated builds with deep, subterranean bass drops that shift the energy just enough to keep the listener locked in.
Mull employs an expert mix of ethereal synths, atmospheric swells, and altered vocals, which often emerge like ghostly transmissions from another dimension. There’s a dreamlike quality to the way the vocals are manipulated—never overpowering, but subtly weaving in and out of the layers, adding an organic, human element to the otherwise mechanical precision of the production.
While This Way Home carries the DNA of classic hypnotic techno—reminiscent of the genre’s golden era—it never feels like a throwback. Instead, he blends foundational elements with modern production techniques, resulting in a sound that’s simultaneously timeless and cutting-edge. Tracks build with meticulous precision, layers stacking in ways that feel almost mathematical yet instinctive.
Despite its seamless structure, This Way Home has moments that stand out as undeniable peaks. Some tracks surge with kinetic energy, their percussion hitting with a driving force that recalls the best of warehouse techno. Others take a more cerebral approach, diving into ambient-infused interludes that provide space to breathe before plunging back into the depths of rhythm.
The altered and effected vocals scattered throughout the album act as guiding lights—distorted whispers, haunting echoes, and hypnotic phrases that drift in and out of focus. They serve as both anchors and mysteries, drawing the listener deeper into the experience without ever pulling too far away from the music’s core function: movement.
Joel Mull, under his Ica Rus moniker, has proven once again why he remains an essential figure in electronic music. This Way Home isn’t just a techno album—it’s a statement, a hypnotic voyage, and, above all, a masterful execution of the genre’s most captivating elements.
Grab some headphones, go out for a run, or hit the club, this thing is impeccably versatile. You can listen, follow along, and of course stay tuned for the latest by clicking those links below.
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