The brand of slumbering house into which DJ Koze's work to date often falls is characterized by cushioned sonic tracts where instruments fizzle with soft intensity. This new compilation from Pampa Records, which Koze runs alongside Marcus bears the faded watermark of his narcoleptic influence. Vol.1 is a thoroughly pleasant listen, peppered with gently euphoric melodic tendencies and crisp, understated percussion.
The comp reflects the unpredictability borne of being in an unconscious state, nicely bridging moods between certain songs while, occasionally, offering a reflection of the disorienting sudden shifts dreams often take. Mount Kimbie's "Bells_5" and Jackmate's "Pacemaker" are referents for more frantic club music that have been abstracted but retain a sense of their inspirational origin; other tracks that follow this tradition include the feverish Mount Kimbie collaboration "Come We Go" and Matthew Herbert's remix of Lianna La Havas' "Lost & Found," which sense to a sensational pulsating bass line. Tracks like Roman Flügel's "9 Years" fall firmly in the category of chill-out anthems.
There are some less distinguishable tracks here — Funkstörung's "I Does It" is frustratingly bumping and buzzing, while the tempo of disjointed percussion on "Bump With You" obstructs its more alluring qualities — but overall, Vol.1 is a satisfying snapshot of a label that does a very specific sound very, very well.
(Pampa)The comp reflects the unpredictability borne of being in an unconscious state, nicely bridging moods between certain songs while, occasionally, offering a reflection of the disorienting sudden shifts dreams often take. Mount Kimbie's "Bells_5" and Jackmate's "Pacemaker" are referents for more frantic club music that have been abstracted but retain a sense of their inspirational origin; other tracks that follow this tradition include the feverish Mount Kimbie collaboration "Come We Go" and Matthew Herbert's remix of Lianna La Havas' "Lost & Found," which sense to a sensational pulsating bass line. Tracks like Roman Flügel's "9 Years" fall firmly in the category of chill-out anthems.
There are some less distinguishable tracks here — Funkstörung's "I Does It" is frustratingly bumping and buzzing, while the tempo of disjointed percussion on "Bump With You" obstructs its more alluring qualities — but overall, Vol.1 is a satisfying snapshot of a label that does a very specific sound very, very well.