Touane & Nuel - Duo-Deno EP

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  • Relative newcomers Touane and Nuel come together for this EP after releasing individual records last year. Both are Italian and clearly enthused by the ‘ketamine house’ sound that was so popular in 2005. The EP is themed around digestive processes, referencing bits of the intestine and the rhythmic contraction of gut muscles which moves semi-digested bits of food through your system until they are eventually ejected as faeces. Feeling queasy? You’re supposed to. Both tracks churn uneasily and throw in disconcerting bursts of noise at unexpected moments. They remind me of the time I unwisely ordered crayfish at 4am. The milder of the two is the A-side 'Peristalsi', which could still genuinely disturb at around four a.m. It uses spooky noises, half-heard melodies and swelling pads to very successful atmospheric effect. The groove however is slightly awkward, despite the pulsing bassline which (I imagine) sounds a lot like how a spastic colon would feel. The other tune 'Piloro', Italian for the lower opening of the stomach, is an aural assault of sorts. There are certainly a lot of things going on in this track. It starts out as minimal but driving, with a steam train beat, then adds a wah-wah riff before eventually ending up as a propulsive bass-driven groove. All the while accompanied by various digestive gurgles and squeaks as well as the odd breakdown. For a DJ who already has a crowd worked up to fever pitch, 'Piloro' could drive them over the edge. However it’s probably not one of those tracks that people would come up and ask the name of since it lacks the excitement that takes dance music from being an effective tool to a true anthem.
RA