- If Legowelt is one of Unknown To The Unknown's most characteristic artists, then Italian Marco Zanin is the ambassador for its subsidiary, Hot Haus Recs. As DJ Octopus, he casually knocks out fun, no-frills house tracks with an unassuming expertise. His latest EP for Hot Haus, Wet Coast, highlights the advantages and limitations of that approach, occasionally finding inspiration in what might otherwise sound like predictable exercises.
The title track, a collaboration with Lucretio, is a great example of this. The beat is boilerplate, the chord progression a little clichéd, but the bassline is on point—when Zanin and Lucretio strip "Wet Coast" down to the bass and drums it's undeniably funky. "Morning Lab" is equally simple. It's sturdy and stocky, based around a dusty sample, but the disco-informed bassline gives it some extra shape. "Bug Lady" is a basic edit of Bumblebee Unlimited's "Lady Bug," shifting its inimitable intro and signature bongos into something like tribal techno. It works well enough, but you could just as easily play the original version sped up.
"Throne Keen," a thumping basement track, will likely get the most attention. Its best feature is a huge, thwacking snare, and once the screeching vocals and breaks come into view, the mood is downright feverish. There's barely any melody or hook but it still makes an impression. On Wet Coast's strongest moments, Zanin displays a clever grasp of the simple things.
TracklistA1 Wet Coast (feat Lucretio)
A2 Throne Keen
B1 Bug Lady
B2 Morning Lab