Draveng – ‘The Dubious Smink’

Physical Therapy’s Allergy Season imprint call upon Draveng to provide the third instalment to their eclectic catalogue, successfully continuing an exciting string of experimental house and techno releases with The Dubious Smink.

The title track on this EP is rather buoyant, remaining relatively minimal with its tight, yet varying percussion and bassline syncopations. Snares and Claps are fierce strikers that sway the track to feeling like a classic Chicago Jacker. The A2 however, ‘Flex Fit’ is more Detroit. The hats are heavily compressed, scattering above the wavey, frantic lead synth – all before its very apparent injections of trance like euphoria. Both the A-side tracks feature a bright rubber-like bounce that would seemingly, lay a joyful spring on any dance floor. All that goes to pot on the B-side.

Draveng shapes noise as cold as ice, changing the tone of The Dubious Smink completely. It glides over the tapping percussion and heavily reverberated guitar string movements before calming and allowing a terrifyingly twisted, yet remarkably satisfying lead.‘For Thin Soles’ is kind of how I would imagine it would sound like if the Grudge girl got her hands on a 303 and some drum sticks to tap on icicles with. It’s a dark and cavernous record with a thumping kick drum to match. Almost… ALMOST preparing you for the onslaught of J.Tijns remix. This thing roars the EP into an absolutely catastrophic ending, taking the unique and wonderful elements of the original; combining them with a classic J.Tijn 4×4 kick and ride combo, and splitting them in two parts. With Grudge Girl Acid tearing up the opening, and Cavernous Ambiance gracing the close, meaning the insanity eventually reaches a calming, satisfying conclusion.

The latest release from Berlin’s experimental house label Allergy Season, The Dubious Smink is best taken at night with no sleep and plenty of water. Available at all reasonably adventurous record stores and digital retailers now.

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