- Jorge Gamarra is among the Uruguayan artists bridging the gap between their home country and Europe. Operating out of Barcelona, he runs the standout Sur label with the Berlin-based Argentinian Gulp. There's no solid information about Trichome, the label behind Introversión, but one can gather Gamarra has something to do with it. It's his most substantial dispatch since SUR001, a late 2016 sleeper hit
Introversión is substantially odder, and Gamarra's will to be weird feels natural. He takes risks, especially on "Ansias." In the opening passages, he sets up a bittersweet pad bed and builds effortless movement with a weaving bassline. Then the first breakdown swerves toward sensory overload as a matrix of jabbering machines overtake the mix. It's intense enough to turn some away but as the bassline reintroduces the intro's minor key, it all comes together. The title track isn't quite as dazzling, but the bass movements are similarly effortless, supplying interesting rhythmic punctuation and a moody harmony embellished by wispy lead lines.
The B-side is just as strong. "INTP" takes a chunkier, electro-leaning route, pairing dry, overheated drums with deep space twinkles and a background pad. "Vrmdrm," perhaps a reference to the Vermona DRM1 drum machine, is the EP's most paranoid tune. Where the other tracks have rays of light, "Vrmdrm" goes full space cadet, with wonky bass and splashy drums creating a stomping but inviting groove. Although some of the tracks would have worked without a pad or two, Introversión is perfect tackle for weirding up the dance.
TracklistA1 Ansias
A2 Introversion
B1 INTP
B2 Vrmdrm