Nils W - Nickel N Dime

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  • In case you missed their debut, Crime City Disco is a young Berlin imprint with roots in Malmö. Whereas the first record was shared, Nickel N Dime is the sole work of Sweden's Nils W. The title track leads off with cheerful metallic jangles, though they sound more like the work of spoons than small change. These sounds quickly become the track's most defining feature, as the rest of it is pretty conventional. Hazy chords form a lounge-appropriate backdrop, while impassioned female vocals keep up a steady stream of classic house-style mantras. A buoyant arp flitters around the spectrum, tying the whole lot together. On the other side, "Bladerunner Soul" seems the stronger, more deliberate cut to my ears. A hollow kick keeps the rhythm without overpowering, while the simplistic piano loop accompanying it seems dull early on. It is—a little—but just because it's only one piece of the puzzle. From there, the Swede precedes to stack layers methodically on top, forming a euphoric melange which becomes more intoxicating as time goes on. There's a weird, croaking bassline, some celestial trumpeting and glistening waves of synth. There's little doubt the tune takes some inspiration from Vangelis. Either way, its gentle ascent is pretty hard to resist.
  • Tracklist
      A Nickel N Dime B Bladerunner Soul
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