Quell Tomahawk

Attributed with the second release of the Music Is Love sister label is the uniquely stylistic Quell. The Berlin-based artist follows the bristling authenticity of his preceding releases with a 4-track EP that further cements his reputation for no-nonsense, stripped back house and techno music. Size 7 gets things underway, with its trilling bassline and acidy bleeps leading the course of the track, until a distorted vocal gives a rough and raw dynamic to the beat; the heavy hitting bass drives proceedings forward, growing increasingly pressurised before the 90s afflicted house chords march in to create a dark, underground roller of an intro. Monolame picks up where Size 7 left off; an undulating bassline forms the fore of track, brimming over intermittent vocal samples and deep, shimmering chords, which operate as the focal point of the beat. Deep dubbed stabs weave subtly beneath the multi-layered arrangements, which combine superbly together to deliver a massive peak-time track. On the B-side, Harhead leads with fluid percussive rhythms and sequential kick drums to give an immediate groove-intrinsic melody. Atmospheric synths whirl and bounce off the dubby, warped stabs while the quickening hi-hats and intricate modulations keep the pace ticking at an ever-unfolding state. The energetic, groove-led tone continues into the last track, Where Are They Now. Dark, techno-fused key stabs bounce off the fluid percussion sequences, naturally ebbing and flowing over stomping drums and careened chords. The synths and vocals contract cosmically off one another, delivering a stripped back rhythm with an acid tinged-feel.