Album of the Week: Matador - The Enemy EP

Matador - The Enemy EP

Matador!!!! I thought about leaving today's post just like that. Words do not do his music justice. I have had the extreme pleasure of opening for this incredible producer while in Croatia and have the utmost respect for him as a dj as well. His music continuously defies expectation to the point where I am constantly clamoring for new music from him. One person can only do so much though. When he does there is nothing else quite like it. Which is why I wanted to share his latest EP with you all today. You can pick it up today as the debut release for his new imprint Rukus Records.

The Enemy ft Felix Da Housecat

Starting off the EP, Matador has chosen to team up with one of the most prolific and progressive producers in the history of house music, the legendary Felix da Housecat. Who is a pretty damn good DJ himself. One of the best DJ performances of my life was watching Felix bring the Sahara tent down at Coachella cant remember the exact year as it has happened on more than one occasion. When it comes to a classic Matador sound this is what I have come to expect. A powerful 4 on the floor groove that is entrenched in deep bass lines and massive percussion. There is a really cool sounding effect in there that sounds like someone pulling a sticks across a bamboo like xylophone. Pulled together with his signature plucky synths that give the song a bit of a darker tone. Topped off with a voxed vocal riff this is not a track for the faint of heart. This track is prime time get the dance floor shakin' at 4 in the am type shit right here.

Nocturnal

The next track on the EP in addition to the rest is solely produce by the man himself. Continuing to take us on a sonic journey that defies any expectations I had for this EP. 'Nocturnal' also makes use of Matadors signature plucky synths that add so much character to his productions. Mixing them with melodic driving synths and bass lines and a funky ocillating whistle flute sounding thing. It definitely takes on a grittier tone but shit this song makes me wanna fucking dance.

Remember

I want to put this song on repeat forever! This track is beautiful. Not something I have come to expect form Matador but another example of his extreme ability to produce gorgeous, diverse and entirely enjoyable music. It is one of those tracks that makes you just stop in your tracks and take everything in that is going on around you. A wonderfully melodic and engaging tune that is full of energy. Big sweeping bass lines and a haunting vocal build into a powerful and full drop that is energetic and rich with bass. Matador really does a great job of filling the full sound spectrum on this one. There is absolutely no waste of space in this entire track.

Dinkys

You know you have come across something truly amazing when after you have gone through listening to an EP maybe 15 times and you have a really hard time picking a favorite. Well there are 4 fucking fantastic tracks on this EP and trying to choose a favorite would do this entire EP a disservice. Dinkys further proves this. I absolutely love the detuned synths that are the focal point of this track. More of a classic sounding house track from Matador which you don't get to often. Not that classic though. It still maintains some of his hallmark production techniques which may be hard to pick out if you don't listen to his music almost religiously like I do. With Dinkys though I am particularly fond of the lead synth on this track which sets the tone throughout.A regular on Minus Records and at Richie Hawtin's 'Enter' nights in Ibiza, Matadors stock as one of the premier producer/dj's has rapidly risen over the last half decade. He is constantly touring and when he isn't you can find him squarely planted behind a set of keyboards, drum machines, and modular synths working his magic until he comes up with his next set of beautifully constructed and mastered tracks. Do yourself a massive favor and explore his other releases available on Soundcloud. He has a massive catalog of amazing music and a handful of free downloads the last I checked as well. Enjoy! And if you're reading this Gavin come to LA again soon. I got a big bottle of Don Julio with your name on it! Cheers!PZB