Keenan, the co-founder of the LA-based Gyration Station label, delivers a swift and punchy take on house music by channeling the euphoric energy of the nineties in his first solo EP.
Only a few months after its creation in late 2019, the LA-based Gyration Station label faced the rippling consequences of the pandemic on the music industry. But that did not stop its two founders, artists Keenan and KMS1999, from taking advantage of the global hiatus to focus on the definition of their label’s sound. Gyration Station was launched with two EPs from the duo’s collaborative project, Trax Unit, along with an eclectic compilation featuring an international roster of artists. Their latest release is Keenan’s first solo EP, “K Town,” which consists of three club-ready tracks drenched with the uplifting ardor of the nineties.
In a time when hard and trance-inspired techno seems to be dominating the realm of fast-paced electronic music, Keenan goes a different path. He embraces the soulfulness of old-school house through inventive sampling, channeling the work of legends like Paul Johnson and Armand Van Helden, while laying down an invigorating 140 bpm beat. The EP was written late in the summer of 2020, at a time when events and clubbing seemed to be an increasingly distant reality, yet these tracks yearn for the dancefloor. Now that the prospect of partying appears to finally be getting closer, the release shines through with a luminous optimism.
“Horny,” the first track of the EP, sets up a playful and carefree atmosphere through its chirpy lead and tropical sonorities. A dirty beat brings some roughness around the edges with its heavy-hitting punch, spewing enough bass to make your walls rattle. “Toxic Crush” follows, introducing a deeper and more incisive kick that retains an immersive quality. The manipulation of vocals evokes a sensual hypnosis, while we still identify the euphoric funkiness that imbues “K Town” as a whole. The final track, “Wannabe,” presents an effective balance between gritty drums and uplifting high hats, to conclude a sun-soaked EP that gives the LA underground scene something to be excited about.
-Théophile Gatté
Link: Bandcamp
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