Istanbul by Amount
2021: A new hope. From the lockdown ashes, something much stronger will rise. A newfound appreciation of everything we’ve been building for all these years. Unbounded energy and a sense of positivity. And Amount’s vibrant new EP ‘Istanbul’ is the soundtrack.
Returning to the label after almost a decade, Amount (AKA Nayan Soukie) was last seen on Darkroom Dubs back in 2012 as one half of Soukie & Windish. After years of releasing on killer labels like Voltaire, Feines Tier and his URSL imprint, he’s back with four electric cuts that run the full Darkroom Dubs spectrum and include some of the most emotion-heavy productions of his career.
‘Kreuzberg’ is an incredible slice of euphoria. Feel-good and hopeful without any unnecessary sense of cheese or pomp, Amount captures the essence of uplift that can only come after a long period of darkness and graft. Laced with elements of Italo and synthpop, it’s a poignant track for these unique times, and it sets the scene for the rest of the EP.
The title track, ‘Istanbul’ maintains that unhurried sense of elevation. Progressive in soul but funky in spirit, those crisp sweeping pads and affirmative chords whip you up into a positive state and set you up for ‘Uckermark’. Once again, tapping into some classic electronica motifs and techniques, there’s an unabashed sense of theatre and warmth as huge chords shine over a prime riffy bassline.
Last but by no means least, ‘Neukölln’ amplifies the light and positivity with a much deeper, darker, underground sound. Because once we’ve acclimatised to that newfound appreciation and unbounded energy, this is the sound of where we want to be. Sleeves rolled up, heads down and lost in great clouds of deep, bass-laden hypnotic house music, best played in the lost hours in intimate company, in rooms with low ceilings. It’s the spirit of Darkroom Dubs, it’s the spirit of house music playing all night, it’s where we can’t wait to be once again.
Credits
Mastered by Conor Dalton at Glowcast Audio.
Art & Design by Susie Cairns.
℗ & © 2021 Darkroom Dubs
License
All rights reserved.Tags
An independent haven for all forms of underground electronic music. Est. 2003. Founded & driven by Silicone Soul.