Niagara - 37

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  • You get the sense that Portuguese trio Niagara produce more music than they know what to do with. The act, comprising Sara Eckerson and brothers António and Alberto Arruda, emerged in 2013 with a vibrant brand of improvised dance floor tracks for the Lisbon label Príncipe. Two further Príncipe records followed, as well as a smart two-track 12-inch for Charles Drakeford's FTD label. But Niagara's output swells way beyond those releases, with jams spilling out across associated Vimeo and YouTube accounts. Niagara also quietly launched their own Ascender label in 2014 with a stream of CDRs collating their studio experiments. The 37 EP is Ascender's second vinyl release, gathering four tracks bursting at the seams with unpredictability while still serving the dance floor. B-side opener "Paradela" jumps out immediately, a mangled chunk of mutant house that fizzes with a kineticism that recalls Jamal Moss. As with most of Niagara's music, it's not clear which member does what, but "Paradela" sounds like they have some unhinged spirits trapped within their machines. You could also offer Jamal Moss as a comparison for "Jordão," a stripped-down production that grabs your attention with sinewy sequencing. By contrast, A-side opener "Tó" sounds like Niagara were trying their hands at straight-up house music. Rich, colourful synths tumble out invitingly over loose, choppy drums, while someone breaks rank intermittently by going a bit mental with a cymbal. "12" could be a Juju & Jordash track, with a deep, percussive throb keeping the beat while someone lets loose with an improvised synth solo that occasionally mimics a dolphin, and another attacks some pots and pans. It sounds chaotic, but that's the beauty of Niagara.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Tó A2 12 B1 Paradela B2 Jordão
RA