Nicola Cruz has risen to global stardom in a truly short time, transferring Latin American or indigenous musical traditions into the club context and staying grounded despite his successes – which also means that he doesn’t play it safe with his releases. »Self Oscillation« for the British label Rhythm Section International is the best proof that the Ecuadorian producer is more interested in taking his music to a new level than in peaking his own bank balance: Cruz has rarely sounded weirder than on these six tracks. While his last album »Siku« was still inspired by the metaphor of fire, water now becomes the leitmotif on this EP. This manifests itself in a lot of bubbling acid lines and occasional, well, aquatic sounds that play around swirling rhythms. Cruz largely dispenses with the impression of the organic with which his music is readily associated, preferring to immerse himself in the possibilities of his analogue equipment. The sound palette is accordingly more subdued, the atmosphere at times ominous and brooding. Between electro breaks, reduced house and reggaetón borrowings, he thus opens a new perspective on his already versatile work – the Cruz of »Self Oscillation« is moodier, more introverted and yet keeps his eye on the dancefloor.
Self Oscillation
