Lakerama – Contactless EP

Lakerama – Contactless EP – 28.04.2017

 

Since their debut EP release ‘One’ in 2015, Irish based duo Lakerama; Graeme S (Hsuan Records) and Senita (Shookrah) have received plaudits from several high profile, national publications including: Nialler9, The Irish Times, BBC Ulster, The Thin Air and have played support to Taylor McFerrin, SassyBlack and Princess Nokia.

 

Lakerama’s  follow up EP Contactless looks to explore ‘tapped in world’ dissonances we are shaped by with their newest body of work.  The duo have locked down a timely, infectious sound, weaving together pulsating electronic hybrid grime and mutant house beats balanced dynamically over soft but powerful vocals.

 

South African Born and Irish raised, Senita name has surfaced in the Irish R&B and electronic music scene with her band Shookrah collaborating with household Irish names such as Le Galaxie, Daithí and recently acclaimed Bantum.  Graeme runs the quiet success story of Hsüan records. Producing woozy, intricate fast-paced beats, his work has featured across international publications :Complex, The Fader, Pitchfork, Dummy and received airplay on BBC R1, BBC Radio 6, Rinse FM, NTS amongst others.

 

“A look into our era of cross communicative mediums, the ineptitude to connect to one another and ourselves, the efficiency, burst of the technological age, our heightened numbness within it and our perceived lack of control. It’s a personal recount of waking up, wondering where you fall in this and how it applies to you” the duo explain about their new music.  “Y0_(Why_Naught)” is the quick mantra starting off the EP. Addictive swirling synths and attention demanding vocals challenging it’s pushing, grime undertoned bassline. “Have Your Time” is a bitter-sweet love song explains Senita “I am not interested in anymore confrontations”. “Walk” is a meditative song, soft, tentative, warm and lush. It embodies soulful harmonies and garage bassline pulses. “We Don’t Even Matter” channels darkness and hopelessness themes “people close to me have often struggled to enjoy a safe, ordinary life. I take on an individual’s voice who’s had to immigrate, hoping to advance somehow by leaving their home, only finding displacement and lack of support” Senita explains, misunderstandings, worthlessness and alienation drive this haunting, emotional song.  Final track “Just Enjoy Yourself” lifts the tone to explore a more fun and playful affair. Imploring the listener not to take life seriously and let the good times roll –  “It’s very much the glue to all the ideas running in this overall EP.”

 

“The idea with this EP was to incorporate a palette of sounds and influences we wouldn’t normally indulge in, from the sprawling UK sounds of UK Funky and Grime to hyperactive trap. Contactless is meant to be intentionally darker and in many tracks the production is stripped right back. This gives Senita’s voice a vulnerability but there’s also a strong sense of self and a confidence that comes through. Given that the EP was written over 2016, it reflected the state of mind that many of us find ourselves in, we are not overly optimistic about the future but neither are we nihilistic, ultimately we feel we are at a crossroad and it’s not entirely clear if we have any control over our futures” – Graeme

Tracklisting

Y0_(Why_Naught)

HaveYourTime

Walk

WeDon’tMatter

JustEnjoyYourself
 

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