Glu River by SNKLS

Romain Dessert is a French producer hiding under the alias SNKLS. His previous releases have fed the catalogues of labels such as Le French Work, Club Late Music and Polaar. The guides label's fourth catalogue number goes to this artist.

In 2021, SNKLS released the Half Horn EP, which can be considered one of last year's most interesting footwork offerings. It featured futuristic mutations of footwork music and 160 bpm tempos. The release stood out for its unusual vision and flair. SNKLS's latest album "Glu River" should be considered in a very close sonic relationship precisely with this EP.

"Glu River" starts with a very distinctive opening. The monumental and slow bass strokes of "Sad Bucket" alternate with raspy and mechanical sounds, situating the whole release in a very concrete sonic context. "Le Feticheur" (i.e. Romain's favourite character in the third part of Diablo) is a rushing tangle of sounds from different traditions - elements of IDM, techno, raggatone, metallic drum & bass can be heard here. "Wasp" is an uncompromising production that is set on a powerful beat with a ghetto house provenance, around which futuristic imagery shifts. "Ended The Discussion" consistently combines illustrative and spatial radicalism with massive rhythms at 160 bpm. The title track keeps the listener's attention with cascades of non-obvious sounds that find their continuation in "BT23". - it is here that the vast and ambient landscapes are most strongly associated with the monumental constructions of composer Hans Zimmer. The album-closing "Definition" seems to be a respite for the listener, but the rhythmless spatial composition still manages to inspire anxiety with its dehumanising sound.

'Glu River' is an extremely challenging proposition. Although it is set on a distinct rhythm that refers to the footwork and techno tradition, it creates non-obvious and unreal worlds that can mesmerise the listener thanks to its unique imagery.

outlines is a searching label. It starts with Chicago Footwork and aims at new forms, outlines and intuitions.

guides, is the more frivolous branch of outlines, where releases are characterised by greater freedom of form.

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