The title track of this synthy tech house EP from Filterwolf has that very stripped back, slow and sincere arrangement that’s become very popular in pop at the moment; stick a Jess Glynne or London Grammar-style vocal on top and what you’d have here is a radio-friendly pop record. As an instrumental it does feel like it’s perhaps missing an element, but it’s a steady and smooth number that’s great walking-with-headphones music.
“Dream Brother” is a simple groove with a filmic synthwave flavour and a straightforward, fairly lightweight 4/4 kick. It’s one of those tracks where the slow introduction of new layers teases a crescendo which never peaks.
“Ultra” has a slightly thicker electro stomp, with a determined acid bassline and a short female “feeling” vocal sample that gives proceedings a bit of a 90’s vibe, in a good way. With its rich claps and “uh!” noises, this ends up being a highlight of the EP.
“Nights In Eivissa” by contrast has a more leisurely step to it. A plinky Royksopp-ish melody twinkles over a steady simple bassline, making this a bright and cheery carefree track, and the glitched orchestral stabs that arrive halfway through are worth waiting for.
Perhaps I’m being shortsighted but as they stand, these tracks are good quality, slickly produced and fresh-sounding, but lacking the unique selling point that could make them really attention-grabbing.