STREAM: Dakpa – Distres EP

Mallorca’s Dakpa has been on a roll since the Italian-based label AMAM released his ‘First Division’ EP last fall.  Recently, he’s been contributing to several compilations, including AMAM’s own Hand Out series, Kina Music’s Fade to K, and Wizz Vinyl’s Sonar Sampler 2014, plus a string of EPs have surfaced for labels such as District Raw and Serial Number 849. Dakpa is set to return to the Amam imprint with a six-track package ‘Distres’ EP, marking his debut 12’’ release.

The release opens with title cut ‘Distres’, a bumpy percussive-led exercise in raw, hypnotic minimalism. Following is ‘Ademus’, retaining a similar aesthetic with subtle stripped-back percussion, bubbling atmospherics and a smoothly evolving dynamic throughout.

Opening the flip side of the vinyl material we have the third and final original cut (on the vinyl release); ‘Virgo’.  Taking a more direct dance-floor feel this time, with punchy 4/4 rhythms, swirling percussion and expansive pads fluttering in the background.  Hooved offers up his ‘Hot Mix’ of ‘Ademus’ to close things off, taking things in a brilliantly contrasting direction with jazz-tinged bass licks and shuffling sparse drums.

The release is also rounded off with two bonus digital cuts from the Spanish producer. The first track,  ‘Marius’,  explores Dakpa’s deeper more entrancing style, with a synth hook that draws you in and keeps you there for eight minutes with subtle nuances thrown into the mix throughout. The latter of the two bonus tracks, ‘Evolution’, lays its focus purely on glitching drum sounds and a heavy dose of sub-bass to close the package brilliantly.

Dakpa’s ‘Distres’ EP is a lesson in simplicity.  Dakpa puts a unique spin on minimal, techno oriented music to make rich, layered and sublime dance floor cuts suitable for any dancefloor at any time of day.  You can grab your own copy of ‘Distres’ EP when it drops on Amam on the 29th September.