I won’t even say what the initial intro to the first track ‘Wolfhour’ by Swedish trio DNKL reminds me of because it would be unfair and grossly misleading. Needless to say it’s something naff from the eighties but it’s not long before the big, bold and heavily processed sound of the trio kicks into overdrive.
There has been a bit of noise and dare I say it mystery, about this band since they unofficially released ‘Hunt’ and ‘Battles’ a couple of years ago although one might have hoped for a bit more than two new tracks from their efforts during that time? Presumably an album is in the bag as well? Or maybe the lack of genuine new material here explains the inclusion of four remixes? Call me old fashioned but a 4-track 12” EP is one down from the 7” in terms of perfection, bettered ever so slightly by the 10” 4-track EP. In this instance (only my opinion and I am sure a few DJ’s out there would disagree with me) the remixes do not add to this EP in terms of quality. The originals are cohesive as a unit and stand up strong.
‘Wolfhour’ is a live favourite and having mentioned the intro at the start of this review I now think it is possibly a sample that runs through the whole track? Anyway, it’s a monster track, full of depth and emotion and melody and probably my personal favourite. The vocals are hushed but powerful nevertheless.
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‘Battles’ has a hip-hop vibe to it, it’s even got some low level grime to it but of course the pop style vocals separate it from those milieus. In a way it is less perfect than ‘Wolfhour’ but also more rewarding in terms of lyrics. Life and love I guess. ‘Warm Dark Night’ is a further indication and development of the band’s sound. It breaks over you like a wave. There is glitch, big kick and M83 synth power. It’s all there in abundance if they are the things you’re into. ‘Hunt’ retains the ‘pick-up-sticks’ glitch and breaking wave vibe and adds in some piano. It is altogether more hushed reverence than the previous tracks, more meditative but the vocal melody keeps it moving along nicely.
As I mentioned earlier, one could argue that one (amateur) person might have been able to knock this up in his bedroom on a good day so how come it has taken three people with a bit more ‘machinery’ quite as long as it has? Having said that this is a good sound for now and I’m not really that bothered how it came to pass. It will almost certainly have strong appeal for all fans of contemporary vocal led electronica.
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