- When talking about Julia Govor, people usually emphasize her background as a singer in a Russian military band. But that's more of an aside than anything related to the music the New York-based producer makes nowadays, which is hypnotic and occasionally rigid techno. (Think the Italian school but more straightforward.) So far she's made appearances on labels like Cocoon, Get Physical and BPrecs, and the latest, 5000 Moments, landing on Budapest's Akkult, is her most distinctive record yet.
At first glance, the title track is workmanlike deep techno, with trippy vocals and a glassy synth that moves in elliptical patterns. But it soon becomes unexpectedly funky, turning the stiff steel of the first half into something more rubbery. Those tactile textures return on the standout track "Drama C," where big, bold drums recall the best work of Adam X. The crispy handclaps she adds are icing on the cake.
"Mathew I Got Your Shakers" borrows its titular instrument from a session Govor had with Mathew Jonson. Though it only has one small element, the song bears Jonson's personality, which shades some colour into Govor's monochrome. It wiggles as if it can't stay in one place for too long. Along with the more upbeat, tribal-influenced remix from Akkult boss András Tóth, it's a more house-oriented approach that shows a new dimension of Govor's sound, letting in some light without losing too much of the darkness.
TracklistA1 5000 Moments
A2 Drama C
B1 Mathew I Got Your Shakers
B2 Mathew I Got Your Shakers (András Tóth Rethink)