April 13, 2018
Noctilux Collective
A hardworking artist on the up and up in every aspect, Nelson BC's Calmpound (aka Andrew Bourcet) has crafted a striking and vivid glimpse of the evolution of bass music with his debut Noctilux EP, Slantways. Expressing himself through a vast range of archetypes, Calmpound dabbles in alluring RnB on "Dishonesty Riddim," the sensual and opulent opener, with the pendulum swinging to the opposite end of the spectrum on the dark and menacing nod to the Bandulu strain of grime, "Dem." On these tracks and across the EP, Andrew has presented a variety of unique and personal interpretations of future club music; drawing inspiration from movements yet to come, by extrapolating current trends through to where he sees this sound headed. Common threads include unforgiving low-end, tribal percussion, baile funk influences, classic drum machines, and subtle jungle breaks referenced sparingly, with an overall consistent dedication to sound quality that stands alongside the tops. The end product is raw but refined, vintage yet current, and accessible, though totally experimental. In line with the name of his monthly event series in Nelson, "Low Key," Calmpound's Slantways EP is just that – a pack of low-key club bangers crafted for the caves, basements and underground venues of the next century. Words by Jake Dubconscious