Drakkar Noir and Heidi Sabertooth have joined forces for the first time to release a split EP brimming with moody techno and electro cuts. The Sleep of Reason is inspired by a famous Goya etching, “The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters”. Intended as a homage to a visionary artist, the duo use primarily analog hardware and synthesisers to concoct a wicked formula. With each artist contributing four tracks, there are plenty of murky numbers to keep you dancing until the early hours.
Drakkar Noir — R Gamble‘s new electro alias — takes the A side, getting straight to business with opener “free delight”. Sketchy breaks, modular funk and rumbling bass aplenty, it’s a strong taste of what the remainder of the EP has to offer. Laced with mechanical vocals and acid whirls, “free delight” provides the dark groove that we’re itching to hear when the clubs reopen.
For a more laid-back vibe that ensures the energy never lacks, look no further than “shadow reel”. Melancholy melodies and synthpop inspired vocals knit together to serve laid-back, body-popping funk; an absolute must-have for the after hours. Noir’s side of the EP is rounded off with two gloomy, biting cuts. “foot a night vine” and “strobah” prepare us for the return to dark basements and warehouses, providing gritty basslines to dance the night away to.
Heidi Sabertooth takes over the controls for the B-side, leaving no prisoners as things take an even darker turn. “This Time I’ll Quit You For Good” opens things up on an eerie, industrial-tinged tip. A steady rolling bassline keeps the potency high, whilst sinister synths supply an unsettling edge. Moving back towards modular groove, “Smoking In the Studio” manages to get it just right. Heavily warped vocals are layered over a bouncy bassline and plenty of machine-fuelled melodies to bring us a straight-up dancefloor weapon.
The Sleep of Reason can be streamed and purchased via Bandcamp.
Connect with Drakkar Noir: Spotify | Instagram
Connect with Heidi Sabertooth: Spotify | Twitter | Instagram
