Shanti Celeste - Alma

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  • Shanti Celeste's tracks are often described as sunny, and it's not hard to see why. "On My Own," a record released on Idle Hands last year, was typical of her breezy, feel-good house jams. A syrupy bassline, catchy synth melodies and an understated vocal made for a track you could imagine enjoying in the shade of a marquee. Alma can seem frosty by comparison, but it might be more accurate to say that it's a little detached, a cool observer rather than a willing participant. Lead cut "Golden" follows the contorting synth work of "Moods," released on Brstl last year. It's glued to bass pads and keyboard notes that seem to shadow and occasionally overtake each other. The dub version untangles those thick melodic knots, and lays out a jingle in a higher register. "Nu4him" distills that ambiguity behind a garage-y skip and a vocal that calls out to a plaintive piano loop. Like "Golden," it draws a gently energising effect from Celeste's restrained approach. A track called "Sun" on secretsundaze should promise something fairly specific, but it ends up being a tease. Its laser bleeps and sharp, bassy synth notes resemble an Underground Resistance electro track, but drained of its angst and made to dance in fading daylight.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Golden A2 Nu4him B1 Golden (Dub) B2 Sun
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