Cupp Cave - NVMB

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  • Arguably the most prominent member of a bustling Belgian micro-scene that includes the likes of Sagat and Dynooo, François Boulanger has long operated under multiple pseudonyms. Recently his chief focus has been Ssaliva, with releases under the name for Vlek and Woetone exploring starry-eyed ambient. In places this was a gorgeous formula, refiguring cloud rap and hypnagogic pop in surprising new ways; in others it sat a little too comfortably with the post-Oneohtrix zeitgeist. This EP marks Boulanger's return, after a yearlong hiatus, to the Cupp Cave alias, and the results are refreshing. Broadly speaking, Cupp Cave is a more beat-based project, and while there is ample crossover here with recent Ssaliva work—new age atmospheres, swirling sample-loops—these tracks mostly centre on a solid, if wheezing, pulse. "Everlastic" is head-nod house, but its super-sluggish beat makes only a half-arsed attempt at propulsion, preferring to wallow in its impressionistic loveliness. "Insight" harbours an electro beat somewhere beneath all the tape-crud and glowing chord work. "Through Tired Eyes" and "Tomb Face" frame similar atmospherics with straighter techno percussion—the former is positively metronomic, an unusual move for Boulanger—but are a touch less convincing for it. Finally, the title track is half beatless interlude, half insectoid hip-hop; like all of his best work, it's as if he's turning the microscope on a universe of tiny sounds.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Everlastic A2 Insight A3 NVMB B1 Through Tired Eyes B2 Tomb Face
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