The Galway-based producer KETTAMA pays homage to the vibrant electronic music scene of his hometown in the first edition of his G-TOWN series, where he concocts a refreshing blend between the euphoric potential of house and the hardness of techno.
In light of the impressive amount of work he has put out over the past year, KETTAMA seems to have found a way to make the most out of his experience in lockdown. By privileging collaborations with fellow creatives while expanding the limits of his own musical aesthetic, the Irish DJ and producer has taken us on a genre-bending journey through a wider range of influences, which crystallize in his new EP: “G-TOWN001.”
Released April 9th on KETTAMA’s own label, G-TOWN Records, this EP is the first installment of the G-TOWN series, which are designed as a federative space of expression for Galway’s house and techno community. It also allows the Irish producer to introduce a new facet of his work: although the EP is ridden with luminous melodies and uplifting funk, it also wields a certain darkness in its aggressive approach to heavy-hitting sound design.
“We Plant The Roses” kicks off the EP with a boost of positive energy. An enthralling lead brilliantly modernizes old-school aesthetics through its combination with a powerful and crispy kick, resulting in a sun-soaked dancefloor anthem that reminisces the ecstatic hedonism of the nineties. In comparison, “5 Pound Spesh” presents a starker atmosphere that incorporates an alluring exploration of the rhythmic possibilities of jungle, house, and techno.
The third and last track, “SKi MASK,” acts as the synthesis of its predecessors: a pounding beat almost sounds like industrial techno, yet beautiful chords and enlivening melodies invite us to euphoric reverie. At once sensual and tough, the track plays on a game of contrast that takes a forward-thinking approach to nostalgia, by pushing techno towards lighter sonorities and infusing house with a refreshing griminess.
-Theophile Gatte
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Stream here: Soundcloud
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