• The original “Pleasure Model” was dark, uncanny, unforgettable
• 150 BPM techno tones it down with hypnotic restraint
• 172 BPM DnB tears it apart with snarling aggression
The original “Pleasure Model” from 2017 is one of those tracks you never forget. A collab between Noisia and Former that felt more like an atmosphere than a song. Dark, strange, emotional in a way that didn’t fit into any standard category. Even now, it still sounds unique, that kind of uncanny beauty you don’t get often.
So hearing Ring Noord (Sleepnet and Former’s new project) revisit it years later is exciting. Instead of a simple update, they’ve split it into two remixes that head in completely opposite directions.
150 BPM Techno Remix
This one keeps things low-key. The vocal drifts around like a ghost, layered and eerie, while acid stabs and a subtle kick keep the momentum. It’s hypnotic, even soothing at points. I like how it never overdoes it and just locks you into a groove. The downside is that it feels almost too restrained sometimes. Definitely more of a late-night or headphones track than a peak-time festival weapon.
172 BPM DnB Remix
Total opposite vibe. The vocal is mangled into a growling bassline, the drums hit hard, and the whole track feels unstable, like it could collapse at any second. That’s the charm though—it’s messy, raw, and has that uncomfortable energy that keeps you hooked. This one feels closer to the spirit of the original, pushing emotion into chaos and distortion.
If I had to choose, the 172 mix grabs me more. It’s aggressive, memorable, and brings back that uncanny feeling I loved in the first place. But I can see the 150 version growing on people too, especially if you want something hypnotic instead of harsh.
In the end, both mixes keep the heart of Pleasure Model alive while showing how versatile the idea still is. One pulls you in, the other pushes you away, and that contrast makes the release worth listening to as a whole.