French electronic music maestro Laurent Garnier returns to the Fabric series with this latest mix ‘Rhythmic Resonance’.
Few DJs possess the longevity, intuition, and sheer command of atmosphere that Laurent Garnier brings to the decks. With Fabric Presents, the French maestro doesn’t just deliver a DJ mix, he orchestrates a sonic novella. Across nearly two hours, Garnier reaffirms his standing not only as a titan of electronic music, but as one of its most thoughtful narrators.
The set opens with purposefully low lighting. Pezzner’s 30 Watt instrumental remix of Soundbed’s “Turnaround” sets a woozy, hypnotic tone, dusty, textured deep house with plenty of emotional wriggle room. It’s a contemplative start, matched by the minimal percussive shuffle of Dailly’s “Autonomy (New York Drums Mix)” and the shimmering, melodic atmospheres of Impérieux’s “Ferishtah.” These tracks don’t come rushing at you, they unfold gently, drawing you into Garnier’s slow-burning narrative.
As the tension tightens, the rubbery bass of John Tejada’s “Different Mirrors” introduces a touch of surrealism. The mix is gliding by now, not yet full throttle, but unmistakably moving forward. Tracks like Works Of Intent’s “Richer Sound” and Red Axes’ low-slung, psychedelic “Calib” add layers of intrigue. The Garnier remix of Copy Paste Soul’s “The Fall” feels almost autobiographical, an epic nine-minute centrepiece, folding his own sonic identity into the journey.
The second act leans into techno territory. Carlo Ruetz’s “Proton” and Lewy’s “Aggar” introduce a sharper edge, setting the stage for Avision’s thumping “How We Do It.” This is the mix’s pivot into warehouse space, the groove gets tougher, the rhythm more relentless. By the time Electric Rescue’s “Autoxians” kicks in, we’re deep into skeletal techno, stripped-back but with maximum impact.
And then come the sirens. Marco Bailey’s “Full Steam” is aptly named, all snarling low-end and high-pressure drive. The mix has reached boiling point, and Garnier rides the peak with poise, not overplaying his hand but letting the tension linger. Even in its most ferocious moments, this mix never loses sight of the dancefloor’s emotional pull.
The final stretch is Garnier at his most introspective. His own “Tales From The Real World (Version Instrumentale)” and the haunting closer “Resonances From The D” are love letters to techno’s depth and possibility, not just functional closers, but deeply personal expressions. You can hear echoes of Detroit, of Paris, of London, of Fabric itself, in the warm, swirling synths and tender decay.
What makes Fabric Presents Laurent Garnier so compelling is not just the selections, but the curation. This is an exercise in balance: deep house to techno, texture to groove, the cerebral to the visceral. It’s the sound of a selector who knows exactly where he wants to take you and exactly how long you need to get there.
A masterclass in mood and momentum. Garnier’s Fabric entry isn’t just a compilation, it’s a journey through club music’s beating heart. Essential listening for any serious fan of the craft.
‘Fabric presents Laurent Garnier: Rhythmic Resonance’ is out now via Fabric, stream/download here.
