Keys N Krates - Midnite Mass

Keys N Krates
Midnite Mass EP
2016
Spotify

Keys N Krates have always done things a bit off kilter from the rest of their compatriots in the EDM world. Despite being singed to Dim Mak records they never fully embraced Aoki's sound like many of his label mates do. Instead they try to blaze their own trail and make records that connect on many different levels. Their approach to Trap music is not grounded in the bass drop or the deep tones. Keys N Krates' sound is more bright more well rounded than a lot of Trap music. They aren't afraid to play around in the genre and the results really are great. This EP in particular, part of a group of EPs they have been putting out since 2013, is so intricate and precise. " I Know U" may seem like a generic song, but a closer listen finds so many special elements and flourishes that bring it ever forward. For a dance record this EP is surprisingly short. Not only is the record short, but the songs themselves never span much more than five minutes. Most dance tracks just get going around the four minute mark so the risk of putting out a record that cuts out most of the build up is risky, but on Midnite Mass it really does pay off.

Keys N Krates have always been known for their vocal chopping but here it takes on a much more melodic tone, the whole record feels like an experiment in the melodic quality of EDM. The one song that really fits into the Dim Mak genre is "Save Me" featuring Katy B. It starts off as your typical Trap song, but somehow morphs and molds into a new more expansive song. It fills the space slowly rather than hit you over the head with bass, it really is a new approach in EDM and one that works well for Keys N Krates and could work for others as well. "Nothing But Space" actually features a real singer rather than the chopped up vocals and the results are a bit mixed. Aqui's vocals really are great but the drop is so pedestrian that it takes away from what is otherwise a really well crafted song. As a whole this record really is a step forward for the Trap genre, but it also suffers some of the same failures that a lot of Trap music does. While it seems that Keys N Krates are actually pushing the genre forward there are still some shortcomings that they need to get past to really and truly break through.

7.1 out of 10