- Aleksei Egorchenkov has pumped out drum & bass bangers for Critical since 2011, embodying the London imprint's enduring appeal with an effective, no-frills style. After a year off following the release of his latest album, Rituals, Egorchenkov returns with a sturdy four-track EP that emphasizes his grasp of tension.
Three of Wolfpack's four tracks are what Egorchenkov does best: tough drum & bass that never feels rigid. His drums sound like they've been tweaked for hours, while his basslines are remarkably restrained. Where so many other producers would let the belching bass sounds rip, Egorchenkov ties them to the drums on "Wolfpack" and lets them dive gracefully between the beats on "Easter Island." But the restraint works both ways. "Mirrors," with its playful drum fills and Reese-style bassline, goes in one ear and out the other.
"Dark Water," the most EP's most memorable tune, is also its gentlest. It's a ballad of sorts featuring frequent collaborator Charli Brix, but her voice isn't the main attraction—Egorchenkov folds an acoustic bassline into the rhythm section, letting it unfurl into a jazz riff. It adds unexpected colour to an otherwise grey facade. Egorchenkov should think outside the box like this more often.
TracklistA1 Wolfpack
A2 Easter Island
B1 Dark Water feat. Charli Brix
B2 Mirrors
Digital: Crunchy