Pheek

The Friendliest Neighborhood

★★½

 Another release from the Russian, now German, based label, Nervmusic. This release was somewhat interesting but nothing to really remember. It follows the formulaic tech house build up and style without much to distinguish it from any other release during this time or previous. 

"Japanese Monks", the first song on the EP returns to almost what is the precedent and stereotype for the sound that this label has. All of these are obviously crafted for the club and I keep that in mind when listening to them from the safety and confines of my computer speakers and wooden desk. The only real difference in this opening track compared to anything else is the droning sound of wind chimes that pass in and out of the song.

"Cute House" is bubbly and poppy like the title implies. As it progresses these very minute and chopped vocal samples seem to appear throughout while the song itself is stripped down. It's uptempo and meant to get the set going, meanwhile its remix counterpart takes a different route. It's straight industrial with the atmosphere of an early house track from the late 80s with its sheer rawness. The beat is fat and distorted enough to bring the walls down if blasted louder than one ever should.

The standout, which is barely noteworthy on this release, is actually the bonus digital track. "Green House" is another aptly named track as it invokes just that: a lush and humid greenhouse. It's incredibly dense and makes you think about how much you'd sweat if this was blasting from some speakers and you were in a dark and crowded sea of other people. Otherwise this EP is quite lackluster and average, I know this label has some truly talented artists, and I have to seek them out.

Favorite Song: Green House