Djolee 'Tangler Twisted Twirler' EP review | A force to be reckoned with
Call it being blunt, but if there ever was a release which could be accused of being dishonest, then ‘Tangler Twisted Twirler’ is certainly not one to be testified of such charges. It’s the latest release from Djolee, and its presence is just as demanding as the name would suggest. Since 2017, the Argentine artist has been building his name as a formidable producer, earning himself the badge of an artist to keep an eye on with his remix of Yamil’s ‘Never No Right’ earlier this year, and most notably, his two-track ‘Testing Disorder’ EP on MoBlack Records.
‘Tangler Twisted Twirler’, is, by no means secret, Djolee’s biggest release to date. Himself knowingly so, he goes all out to treat us to a four-part surprise. It’s formed of two original tracks, where each has been lovingly given their own remix to spice up the vibe. And full of flavour it is: from the erratic to the downright beautiful, it’s paired with the eye-bending graphics (from artist Alexander Isakov) on the cover to deliver a rather impressive package.
As the opening track, which also shares the EP’s title, ‘Tangler Twisted Twirler’ packs nothing short of a punch, as it flings itself into the forecourt for the opening game. Djolee, real name Nicolas Marino, plays his best serve, and undoubtedly a beast it is. He’s no stranger when it comes to tousling between Afro-infused funk, melodic cinematics and darkly-drenched structures, and there’s no under-selling of himself for the show here. Introducing us to aching jabs for a diffused bassline, a wavering drum pad twists itself around, tepidly teetering onwards to help unify a rather mesmerising groove. A cowbell, which, in its own subconscious way, signifies the light towards greater ends gallivants forwards, and we are shortly greeted with a rather tense atmosphere geared to the brim. A wave shudders itself over to intensify the multiplicity of the elements as they push and pull each other, until they magnetize with long sinister chords prowling through the excitement. Almost intoxicated from the constant buzz, enlightened harmonics take aim for the centre of attention, and yet soon after we can feel the tense-ness rebuilding itself up. With the calamity seemingly over, we pursue a much more progressive manner which still continues to leave us resting on the tips of our toes until the very last second.
Djolee’s collaboration with duo Last Men On Earth treats us to some much-needed peace required for our spinning heads. ‘Rumbling’ touches upon a rather sheer and sensual subduedness which tenderly flows through the veins. The prolonged chords and diffused beat instantly encase themselves in solitude and passion, leading onwards to tender crystal drops which scatter themselves delicately upon the structure. It’s not until the apparently-uninvited kick-snare ushers a sense of urgency, that our mind becomes awake and starts moving - we’re now 2.30 minutes in, and we’ve finally been pushed outside our comfort zone to embrace the more powerful soul laid bare in front of us. Still playing in-line with the central harmony, the layering becomes heavier: pumped-up clangs wavering, a bass guitar rift doing its own thing and the already-familiar kick snare, ushering itself every now and again. Rather dilated but knowingly there, zimmering hums sing out to us and play around with the elements, until everything, par the hums and piano keys, fizzle away into the ground. Soon come, the kick snare re-fortifies the structure and we’re left with the dew-brushed symphony, which envisages this almost harrowingly ethereal aura, shining down upon us for the full duration.
It’s hard to believe that any rework of ‘Tangler Twisted Twirler’ could be more chaotic than the original. But it really is to be believed. Through the rabbit hole of labels such as Exploited Ghetto and Voltaire Music, Kotelett has become pretty accustomed to playing with thunderous layers which rightly-so command the senses to be fully focused. The Berlin producer ramps up the Afro vibes for the remix duties, and pumps out a slicker and stockier disposition compared to the original. Immediately, he toys with those sinister chords we became acquainted with so far down the line in the original, and places a tribal drum and unpredictable snare for a rather restless outcome. Kotelett takes a rather whimsical approach to this rework and metaphorically emphasizes on the word ‘twirler’, allowing the notes to spiral like a cartwheel into thin air. There’s also a feeling of the intensity building quite urgently, as the breakdown emerges earlier and snaps back down just as quickly. Once back into the flow, all elements become slightly more refined and controlled to glorify the electric buzz found within the core. Cruising along to the final pitstop, we are treated to a more refined palette of the piano harmonics and bouncing structure which has been part of us since the very beginning.
Italian-born duo 2040 bring the EP to a close with their take on ‘Rumbling’, and sees them echo the delicate harmony as so generated in the original. It intelligently plays upon the beauty of the original and inspires a sense of sentimentality which drifts itself into a higher state of magnificence. This time around, it’s the crystal drops which blossom beautifully from the woodworks of 2040’s injection of background rattles and vibrating two-beat drum to evoke a slower pace throughout to calm us down before everything comes to close. As the baby-soft keys work their way forwards smoothly, a synthesized buzz floats around freely to continue the safe haven which allows us to unwind in tranquility.
Through both name and nature, ‘Tangler Twisted Twirler’ is a force to be reckoned with. This is an EP, which, right from the very first murmur makes us acknowledge it’s here to create an impact - and a stomping impact it makes. Through his two originals, Djolee shows us his versatility working with a variety of atmospherics and sounds: ‘Tangler Twisted Twirler’ being that of a rather intense journey, whilst ‘Rumbling’ takes the role of progressive beauty which floats along gently. With help from Kotelett and 2040, this is a well-rounded release which you’ll find hard to take off repeat.
Tangler twisted twirler: try saying - and forgetting - this in a hurry.
interview by joanne philpott
Tangler Twisted Twirler was released on Circles & Stones on 28th August 2020. You can purchase it here
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