Music Reviews
Baby Got Blues by Julien Loreto – Pins and Needles
Pins and Needles’ eighth release comes from across the pond, with Toronto DJ and producer Julien Loreto making his debut on the label. A disciple of the city’s legendary techno scene of the new millennium, he followed the familiar progression from mixtapes to bar gigs, then clubs to festivals, playing the BPM festival as resident for five years. These days he can be found A&Ring his label Generation Recordings, and playing across the city, with releases on imprints as far afield as Turkey, France and the US.
The title track from the EP is a cut of techiness that drives itself forward on a blend of rumbling sub, nervous percs and vox, swimming in delay and reverb. The result is a track that maintains momentum, with clever changes of emphasis as fx and percussive hits add colour. I Won’t is a more heads-down affair, with a staccato snare pattern and wobbling bassline that underpin a sparse arrangement, the male vox and rasping stabs punctuating the midrange. Caller No.3 is the most upfront of the trio, bringing a full vocal to the party to joust with the subtle chords and low end, taking a sly dig at radio phone-in shows into the bargain. Label boss Phillpp Ort reworks Caller No.3, giving it a tracky, deep feel with piano chords and strings, a rich end to a really solid EP.
