[Innervisions]

Unlike many contemporary producers, Karlsruhe-based duo Âme do not seem particularly attached to the methods and aesthetics that have brought them critical and popular acclaim. There have been no variations on their international breakthrough, “Rej,” or retreads of “Where You At” territory, even though doing either could have meant broader notoriety. Rather, Kristian Beyer and Frank Wiedemann are committed to not repeating themselves, which means each new platter is a stylistic surprise. Their principled approach has not come without a few puzzled looks — “Fiori” in particular caught some listeners off guard with triplet clusters and lush, proto-techno orchestration — but it’s certainly solidified the group’s fan base and positioned them at the cutting edge of electronic dance music. Yet even those who welcome their curve balls may be surprised by the organic rawness of “Setsa/Ensor,” Ame’s challenging new single.

As with the bulk of Âme’s discography, “Setza” and “Ensor” are massive compositions that threaten to crush dancers under their ornate girth.Traditional instruments utilized in unconventional ways lend a great deal of presence to both tunes. You can just picture celloists and violinists sawing away as their sharp, deliberate strokes puncture the simmering calm of “Setza,” or trombonists and trumpeters growing red in the face as their ascending pitches in “Ensor” blur like speed lines. Âme eschew studio luster in favor of leaving rough edges exposed, and at times “Setza” can set listeners’ teeth on edge. Still, the boisterous string cavalry, assorted voices (operatic outbursts, unearthly growls, indistinct whines), clangorous drumming and purring synth lines of “Setza” make for a bruising good time. “Ensor” is a relentless builder, its long, flickering fuse lit by a gruff bass guitar line. Marimba and piano chords, played as if by boots pounding the pavement, join the fray to push the tune to the precipice of suspense. Skyward horns lift “Ensor” off the dance floor to survey the writhing masses below, only to crash back down in a triumphant return to form. Âme’s restless creativity continually impresses as they scrape away at popular perceptions of what dance music can be. Those who cannot wrap their heads around this intrepid advance can take comfort in the still viable permutations they’ve left behind.