OC & Verde – Korowai [RUKUS]

OC & Verde‘s superb two-tracker ‘Korowai‘ on Matador’s RUKUS, kicks off 2019 in breath-taking style. Ben O’Connor and Jon Verde, AKA OC & Verde, are living up to and exceeding early predictions of success. In just two years, they have risen through industry ranks to establish themselves as suppliers of regular go-to, anthemic music for the sets of their role models.

Along the way they’ve ticked off some of the career-making achievements artists dream of, including Radio 1’s Essential New Tune, Friday Fire, and being tagged as the Ones To Watch by Pete Tong. Composing powerful tracks that are celebrated internationally by fans and peers alike, these prolific producers add yet another outstanding release to an already brimming back catalogue.

‘Korowai‘ packs a punch from the very first hit with a tight 808 kick and a rolling 16th bass line. Daring, dreamy melody and fearless rhythm build to a sonic crescendo, commanding the ear and the dance floor. The atmosphere shifts subtly in ‘Panther‘ to a more sombre and poignant affair. Whispered chants of quiet anguish offset a harshly dissonant arp. Rippling synths break high tension and a solid, resolute bass answers ecstatic cries of rapture.

This EP is much like the duo themselves – accomplished and exhilarating, definitive in direction and majestic in originality.