- You have to admire Lazare Hoche's initiative. A few years ago, the now 24-year-old student moved to Paris, built a home studio, started his own label (Lazare Hoche Records) and began releasing music by himself and his friends. I haven't heard all of their records, but I imagine I Don't Sync So Vol.1, which Hoche recorded with the Dutch artist Malin Genie, was something of a breakthrough. Catchy, funky and elegantly produced, it's a never-leave-your-bag party record. But even as the vinyl sold out, the release met with little fanfare when it dropped in 2012 (aside from the inflated Discogs prices). Now remastered and repressed, it ought to make a bit more of splash.
I Don't Sync So Vol.1 is the kind of house EP that gives you everything you need: big kicks, big basslines, funky drum patterns, vocals, even lyrics in the case of "Pressure Baby." It's not subtle music, but it's executed with class and an impressive pop sensibility. "Pressure Baby" is the alpha dog here, with it's garage-y breaks, smooth-as-almond-butter keys and cooing invitation to a one-night stand, courtesy of Mar. "Naive" is similar but dialed in a bit, with a simple, descending melody and more understated vocals. "Oh!! Snap" has a more lazy, humid vibe, helped along by a winding synth melody. "My Love For Who?" hits the hardest, with a stop-start garage beat and a bassline so chunky it works as percussion. But for me the pick of the litter is "Damn Near Made It," a soothing, blue-note house track that feels perfect even before the subaquatic organ rolls in near the end. Over time, each one takes turns being your favorite.
TracklistA1 Pressure Baby (Mar Vocal)
B1 Oh! Snap
C1 My Love For Who?
C2 Naive
D1 Damn Near Made It