Australian producer Kristin Velvet is ready to roll out her ‘High Noon’ EP on Arms & Legs; the imprint she worked with for her debut album, the perplexingly titled ‘I Am Kristen Velvet’. The release features three tracks of equal quality and with much in common, despite their direction being fairly distinct.
‘Set on Fire’ is a cool, soulful-house creeper. It builds comfortably through a swirling vocal loop, splashing hi-hats, a rolling bassline and intermittent organ strokes. It lulls you into a warm sense of security, a state of relaxation and a subtle intimacy. Then, with the crash of a cymbal, transforms inexplicably into the smooth groove of ‘90s club banger ‘Dreamer’, by italohouse group Livin’ Joy.
Everyone knows that track, even if it was originally released a year before the freshest batch of club-goers detached their umbilicus; it is that quintessential Now 95 dance sound. It’s hard to say whether we needed to bring those soft yet powerful notes out of the museum of ‘90s house but Kristin went for it and as much as it was a surprise, it in no way clangs. In fact, when it leaves the mix you can’t help but long for it to return and drench you once more in its warm nostalgia.
Title track ‘High Noon’ is described by Arms & Legs as “markedly mature” and this is based on Kristin’s ability to weave so many different elements together. An energetic organ drives the busy rhythm under the vocal whirls and swinging beat. Strings add variety as the bass fattens creating a disco feel over the deeper groove. It’s got that perfect sunrise/sunset party aura about it which, with the festival/summer hype gaining momentum, is a timely reminder that house music isn’t just about basement clubs and derelict warehouses.
Last up on the EP is ‘Wasted’ – a vocal-based slice of soulful 4×4 with some serious funk in and about the mix. Again organs ride the rhythm but this time an altogether bluesier kind; with a side order of wah wah. Warning: the vocal is catchy. The kind of catchy where you play a promo, then a week later you go to write an article and you’re like “I swear I’ve had this for ages.” The main bass is a bullish riff that underpins the track and keeps it moving.
The phrase ‘high noon’ is generally used to describe something at its peak and this is without doubt Kristin’s best release so far. Maturity is measured in the decisions you make. The way the different parts of each track – and the three tracks as a whole – are blended and the sounds selected suggest a cogent understanding of what constitutes good house. The studio time that birthed these tracks came as a brief hiatus from her work with classical musicians and orchestras and you can tell that a keen ear and appreciation of harmony has given her a solid foundation on which to build house.
The High Noon EP is out on the 24th of February on Arms & Legs.
