Textura

«Encased within a circular tin, the Rapid and Tired EP doesn't deviate dramatically from the ambient techno style of the full-length though obviously offers a more concise portrait of Vdovin's work. If anything, the EP proves less Gas-like in opting for a more even balance between textural atmosphere and conventional techno elements such as beats and synths. After the melancholy techno of the opener “Use Less”, the energy level rises when “Rapid Trees” presents a dreamscape of delicate washes and insistent rhythms. “Tired Vinyl” and “Tired Tape” complete the release with two exercises in soothing ambient-techno that contrast energized rhythms with warm, textural overlays that could induce sleep states. Vdovin's music is the ideal soundtrack for the morning after the clubbing frenzy of the night before.»

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pi micron, Sound Proector

«Stanislav Vdovin is a musician from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, more well-known under his pseudonym Unit 21. Sampled noise produced by old vinyl became Stanislav's trademark. Of course not the sounds themselves, there are enough of them in electronic music (experimental and not), but the way he treats them, which incredibly deep and dragging away sound carpets he makes with their help, balancing sometimes on the verge of techno and ambient.

And despite the fact, that at the beginning of the new mini-album Rapid and Tired your ears are not attacked by crumbly vinyl crack, there is still the feeling of aloofness from external irritants. With the help of four techno tracks of Rapid and Tired one can easily make himself an ostrich, digging his head into sand. There is only monotonous music and strongly functioning brain reactor producing trains of thoughts and the rest doesn't matter. All that is left outside, not digged into the imaginary sand. “And let the whole world wait” as it was said in some ads through tv.

It's not techno for dancefloor, I think — no. It's for staring at the sketches flashing behind the dirty window in a bus or tram or any other unit of public transport. Or maybe through the windows of your own flat — that's not important. The important thing is that you are inside, and the rest is outside and that's why it seems that Vdovin succeeded to do a tech'nical and beautiful thing. Beautiful but absolutely not experimental — without dill, paprika, coriander or something else. And what? Doesn't matter...»

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FdW, Vital Weekly #706

«Four tracks also on “Rapid And Tired”, but much shorter — only twenty-four minutes. If the other reflects winter time in Russia, then this surely is spring time. The music is easier to access, the rhythm is there, but this time in a more detailed form. Slow techno like rhythms, bass upfront, but with the other particles more in place. The ambient sound swirls around this again, but is a bit more musical than on the other release. Again not exactly the kind of music that would make your body move around all night, but as an after party this would make perfect sense.»