Monoak - Resolute EP

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  • Many people will tell you Freerotation is more than just a festival. To some of its most passionate regulars, it's "a family." And for a number of artists, it's a big break. Steevio and Suzybee, the duo behind the festival, always manage to fit a few up-and-comers onto the lineup, which is a pretty big deal given how respected the gig is and how little the bill changes each year. The latest such artist is Monoak, an Irish producer based in London who's played Freerotation the last two years in a row. Now the festival's label is releasing his first EP, Resolute. Resolute has Freerotation written all over it, from its misty forest atmosphere to its stuttering rhythms, which, like the festival itself, tap into a heady blend of deep house, techno and UK bass. In a way, it sounds like a debut: "Resolute," "When" and "Amay" all feel like different angles on the same idea, which starts to grow thin three tracks in. Still, it's confident, inspired stuff, especially in terms of rhythm—each groove has an odd, distinctive swing, and all of them are catchy and expressive, especially the seasick motion of "Sync Sequence1." The timbres are vivid as well, offsetting ultra-smooth kicks and basslines with woody, organic sounds. Resolute shows that Monoak still has room to grow, but gives every reason to think he will.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Resolute A2 When B1 Amay B2 Sync Sequence1
RA