VtotheD - Twofold EP

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  • Greta Cottage Workshop is an unassuming operation. Label boss Matt Densham, a former Swayzak affiliate, has racked up about ten releases since 2009, yet he's never done an interview and most of his output receives little recognition. The newest addition to its catalog comes from German duo VtotheD (Benedikt Frey and David Georgos), who first appeared on the label in 2012 with an EP of squelching house excursions called What We See. The pair's latest effort, the Twofold EP, deals in slow-burning house beats that build into cosmic jams. Each of the five tracks follows a similar structure: they start with skeletal beats and then melodies, basslines and pads rise gradually to the fore. "Twofold Circus" opens with a bare kick drum and the tiniest of hi-hats, and over the course of 12 minutes, watery chords creep into the mix along with squelching acid notes, cow bell and a heavy dose of celestial synths. The technique of continually adding new elements occasionally poses a problem, as the full impact of the more compelling elements is lost. On "Seven Up," for instance, the bass guitar notes, hi-hat patterns, strings and breakdowns dilute the twinkling keys and throbbing bassline. VtotheD's strongest work here is "Grey Smoke Lodge," a darker cut with a rubbery kick drum and tiny percussive notes in the background. The tune is full of minute details—tweaked-out squeaks, gritty shakers, crackling hand drums—none of which are conspicuous enough to outweigh the others. While some of the tracks feel a bit scattered, "Grey Lodge Smoke" feels focused.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Futureworld A2 Seven Up B1 Within Lines B2 Grey Lodge Smoke
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