For someone who thoroughly enjoyed partaking in Berlin's rave scene whilst travelling Europe, I have to say, ETNIK is the real deal. As I listened to the German wunderkind's latest EP, Unclassified, I was hit with waves of nostalgia.
The grimy goth beats of opening track 'Take A Shot' conjured up images of graffitied warehouses, mid morning raves and stumbling lost through the city's outskirts. Preceding on from the much lauded Neon Daze, Unclassified finds the producer taking his minimal approach to techno darker and deeper, with his gritty hip hop influenced sound reaching it's full potential.
Signed to Skrillex's label OWSLA, Etnik represents a left of centre approach to techno music, with the producer constructing club beats infected with an industrial grit not to far from the likes of Nine Inch Nails.
For the title track, this distinctive visionary teamed up with another left of field musical voice - MYKKI BLANCO. It sees Etnik and the innovative trans rapper pull a dark twist on the genres' of hip hop and techno, generating a sound too unique to categorize.
Perfectly encapsulating the aural atmosphere of the track, is the accompanying video clip that plays out like a goth raver's dream - with slow mo dancing, fire and a gritty mechanics shop, which you can watch below.
Unclassified is out through OWSLA/Bitclap.
Words by Isabella Trimboli
SEE ALSO:
PHONAT ‘RIDE THE PREJUDICE’ (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
RITON ‘I AM THE WHISPER’ FT. MOLLY BEANLAND
