PREMIERE: 02 – Kepler – Listen [THIRST001]

Still fresh from orbital blow-outs on X-Kalay, BROUQADE and a heavy Constant Sound collab with Burnski, Kepler is on sure-fire form. An artist who always has his finger on the pulse of new sounds and ideas, but also has a keen ear for a timeless classic, and is always digging for undiscovered nugz. The blend of both worlds has shaped his sound, forward-thinking but twinged with inspiration from other eras. Operating under three separate alias’s is testament to this: Kepler for his typical up-tempo techy beats, Relpek for squelchy breaks-electro and also 0113 for a delve into his UKG alter-ego. ‘Taste’ is his latest self-released side-print, providing an escapade into early 00’s electro warped tech-house but with a dash of Kepler’s fresh sound.

The first, ‘Taste’ opens up in groovy tendency, slick and thick drums generate a pounding intro, as they snap and hesitate to create a steppy motion. Kepler blasts the nastiest of synth stabs into the basslines main act to create a proper dirty groove. Pairing it with disjointed acid rumbles, and an angelic backdrop of chords to create the perfect mesh of lofty menace.

‘Listen’ is both robotic and flavorous. Similar to ‘Taste’, it cuts about it’s business with a gritty and direct approach, but the groove is more stretched out, heads-down, and designed for an increase in dance-floor intensity. The second act diverts into a more enchanted direction, as floaty synth-notes and pads bubble on top of the second bassline, before being stripped away for one last bleep blast of funk.

‘Activate’ is a terrace-soaked purrer, built upon an imagination of blue skies and crystal clear breeze. Kepler perfectly keeps a lid on this vibe, allowing it to bubble and vibrate, focussing on building the groove and creating a Sunwaves style encapsulation of warmth.

‘Druid’ completes the EP in stylish swagger, producing one last blast of sketchy Italo electro. This stompy synth work-out initially strips away the hats to allows the tainted sounds and acid-lines to have access to the full engine-room, before introducing them into the second-half to get hands in the air.

Stream ‘Listen’ in full below:

Digital: https://t.ly/psSrm

Kepler: @keplerleeds