Album of the Week: Soul Button - Wraith EP

As part of a new ongoing series here at LAMP we will be picking one album a week to review in its entirety. We often do not have enough days in our schedule to publish and thoroughly review many tracks. The specificity and detail we put into a single review is our call to other blogs and media outlets who have the resources and staff to write more engaging content. As I mentioned to a friend of mine LAMP is here to raise the bar so that we become a minimum standard and that our peers are inspired and hopefully motivated to improve upon that idea.

Soul Button - Wraith EP

With that out of the way... Let's get to what you're really here for, our first Album of The Week of 2016 featuring Soul Button and his emotionally charged EP 'Wraith'. The 'album' is techincally a 4 track EP featuring Canadian vocal artist Terry Grant, label compatriots Aaryon and Animal Picnic with a collab and remix respectively.

Wraith feat. Terry Grant

'Wraith' opens up with some quick looping shakers and light hi-hat pads while soft piano notes pulsate and slowly grow in prominence and brightness. At the highest moment of the chord progression, the track springs to life as the main kick is introduced propelling the momentum of song forward with each passing heartbeat. It's really telling when you hear the emotion pouring out of a vocal artist featured on an electronic track especially a techno-infused one. Terry Grant's soothing words are hypnotic and soul searching with each passing moment he builds himself up to some breathtaking choruses. Subtly an arpeggiated synth builds in the background blossoming during the breakdown and bursting forth as the drop ensues. Layers of ethereal sythns and FXs weave in and out of the song invoking spectral visions in a deep night sky. The track closes with panning phased claps that resemble a clock ticking away the remaining moments of life.

Demise feat. Terry Grant

'Demise' opening bards seem to intentionally meld into the aforementioned clock-like percussions from 'Wraith' almost as a continuation of the producer's thought process. While heavily panned hi hats dance around your ears, a sharp kick and rim-shot combo command the rhythm of the song. A soft loop of open drums nestle underneath the main rhythm introducing long open synth chords floating through the track as if departed souls are beckoning. Grant's lyrics are dark and sorrowful emitting feelings of despair and anguish reflecting on love now devoid of soul. If the goal of this song was to leave one feeling gloomy then I feel it has achieved that effect extremely well demonstrating that if done right, carefully arranged sounds can truly command your emotions.

Soul Button & Aaryon - Substratum

Joining in on this spiritual journey is Spanish producer and Steyoyoke family member Aaryon with this cavernous collaboration. Substratum is defined as "an underlying layer or substance, in particular, a layer of rock or soil beneath the surface of the ground." This track embodies that effectively with deep sounds that emerge from low registers and bubble upward to the surface. A superb blend of crafted FXs and bright percussive elements layer with a high pitched droning synth. A soft round kick enters the fray commanding the rhythm of this track and marries to panning synth stabs that echo into the ether. This masterful build sets us up for a powerful bass drone that nestles neatly into the arrangement. Devoid of any vocals as a more traditional style of techno 'Substratum' is full of character and submerges us into maze of damp tunnels tempting us with hopes of reaching an end.

Wraith feat. Terry Grant (Animal Picnic Remix)

Animal Picnic close out this trifecta of tracks with a more upbeat take on 'Wraith. Everything from the kick to the woodblock hits feel bigger and meatier giving the track more sustenance to feed off of. Grant's main chorus is used to envelop some wonderful breakdowns that supercharge each drop. Heavy saw bass line notes cut their way through the low frequencies enveloping your senses with each beat. Further into the track we are introduced into a new collection of percussions that seem to be sharper and have more teeth due to some effective phasing and delays to diversify this nearly 8 minute long rework.I had the fortunate opportunity to catch him lay down an amazing set this past week at Couture's Clinic Wednesday series and his label Steyoyoke is one of our favorites here at LAMP. His grasp on deep techno is already well documented and my first experience in seeing him perform lived up that and definitely went beyond my expectations. Expert curator, Soul Button also leads by example as a performer and producer drawing fans and hopeful producers to his gates. The depth and quality of his label's catalog is a testament to that magnetism and will hopefully sustain for many years to come. If you've made it this far in our review then as is customary we reward you with a mixtape from the artist himself.

Soul Button - Jeden Tag ein Set Podcast 032

Enjoy,MR PUZL