Damián Schwartz - Party Lovers

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  • Party Lovers is the first artist album to come through Madrid's Net28 collective distribution network, and if Damián Schwartz's twelve offerings here never quite sizzle, they're also far from disappointing as well. Schwartz's tracks, like those of Alex Under, build through loop cycles, chugging along and picking up layers as they cultivate an ever more intense rhythm purely out of repetitions. But whereas Under's tracks often pressurize the listener into altered states, Schwartz doesn't tempt the big release so much as revel in the transitory state. Schwartz would like his tracks to have it both ways: driving enough to keep a dance floor moving; textured enough to tease a repeat listener into picking through the details. But to the extent he succeeds, it's usually when he jacks up the rhythm enough to get the feet moving in spite of the interloping mix of ear candy. The trouble is—and this becomes increasingly apparent over the course of twelve tracks—Schwartz can build a lean groove out of layered loops, but these loops never really gel into any innate musicality, which keeps the proceedings decidedly cerebral. Part of the problem is that Schwartz is a bit too consistent in his track structures. There's no range here to invite listeners back. While this collage work might have served him well for singles, it's a process that grows predictable over the course of an album. Whether it be the slim, sliced treated voices riding through "In the Mood," the simple synth or piano lines weaving through "Lo Que Suba, Baja" or alternating versions of both those features playing off each other, Schwartz is all about locking into a groove and echoing it to a logical conclusion. From opener "Get Into" to final track "Were You There?" the modus operandi rarely falters or changes, nor does the tempo. There's a talented producer in Schwartz somewhere still trying to find his way out, and maybe some more production credits under his belt will bring that producer out. Party Lovers sounds similar to Alex Under's debut album from 2005, Dispositivos De Mi Granga, which in retrospect emerged right before its maker began really individualizing his production skills. Under has gone on to bigger and better work since, and chances are Schwartz will too. But for now, this album is frustratingly cohesive, unable to transcend its formulas to deliver tracks that will take over a DJ's direction or, for that matter, a home listener's mindset.
  • Tracklist
      01. Get Into 02. Dos Días Después 03. Lo Que Sube Baja 04. In the Mood 05. Tito Estuvo Aquí 06. Carolina's Favorite 07. Continuamente 08. Piece of Anything 09. Órdenes de arriba 10. Raw 11. Were You There?
RA