Letherette - EP 4

Letherette
EP 4
2017
Spotify

Though part of the series that Letherette has been crafting with this run of records, EP 4 is a bit of a departure leaving the twilight sound behind for a more disco inspired romp. This is rooftop music, pool part music that great little end of summer jaunt through some disco house. Instead of being big the album hangs back, picks it's moments and comes through incredibly clear. As with previous records Letherette continues to use chopped up vocal samples, but they really let them unfold here. With a lot of choppy vocals they are used more as punctuation of percussion, but on EP 4 especially the first track "Feel It" the voice is allowed to be more real and actually sing a little rather than just add to the beat. It is still heavily dance driven and not the kind of vocal you could actually sing in a live setting, but it feels so much warmer than other similar artists. You'll get a heavy does of Hudson Mohawk, The Avalanches and Daft Punk influences on this record, yet Letherette manage to keep this really warm quality that very few producers are really able to harness working with this many electronic sounds. The music is a throwback, but it never feels dated or overly evocative, it just slides into this groove and then hangs there begging the listener to join in on the dance party. "Flowatch" is one of the lightest tracks, but picks up and bangs as it goes on blending in new element after new element as it goes on.

The one thing you really notice is just how slick this record is. "Side Fade" has this groove that is simply undeniable but also incredibly cool. It is one of those songs that comes on at crowded bar or a party and you can watch as people start to realize something awesome is happening and start pulling out their phones and hoping on Shazam. There is a patience that House DJs develop that is really hard to match in any other genre because they have the time to let a track really bloom and become something totally new...or not at all. This is what causes a lot of the frustration with House, to much of the same over and over but it is the subtle changes which make it so special. The clear standout on the record is "Give My Love" which really has some powerful The Avalanches vibes to it, but far less chopped up. EP 4 is a really great little record perfect for the closing months of summer. As the air begins to cool and fall starts to set it, throws this record on at your next party and watch the crowd slowly but surely start to fall in love.

8.0 out of 10