CP02 Skatman - Superstitious Thoughts

Label: Cognitive Prophecy
Catalog: CP02
Release date: 02.09.2022
Buy here: https://www.beatport.com/release/supe...

© Cognitive Prophecy 2022

Cognitive Prophecy returns for its second instalment with Skatman - and his ‘Superstitious Thoughts’ EP - a diverse 5-track deep dive into the label head’s current vision on melodic electronic music.

Opening up the release, ‘Independent System’ pulls no punches from the get-go, sucking the listener in with huge, punchy bass tones, laid under a powerful kick and hi-hat pattern. Dreamy chord stabs and the introduction of an ethereal, evolving lead melody provide a beautiful contrast to the powerful low end; while a spoken word vocal truly sets the tone for what is to come next.

And what’s to come next is ‘Post-Earth Syndrome’, a powerful house track, carried by a hypnotic lead sequence which plays perfectly with the low end groove. Here, there is a reminiscence of classic 90’s techno sounds - while still keeping a strong house groove throughout. Trippy vocals and glitchy percussions generate further intrigue as the track grows, turning this into a real late-night groover - one for the closed eyes dancers.

The title track - ‘Superstitious Thoughts’, moves away from the deeper tones of the first two tracks, smoothly and clinically taking us back to a more ‘signature’ Skatman sound. The first minute of the track introduces us to a classic house groove, coupled with sporadic tribal drums and a potent, rolling bassline - which is sure to provide a huge reaction on any club sound system when it drops. The real star of the show here, is the catchy lead melody - which continues to grow in drama as the track progresses, up to a big crescendo at the five-minute mark. This is pure club euphoria - a track that will surely stay in the audience’s memory for the rest of the night and onward.

‘Unknown Pleasures’ provides a perfect cross-section of this release - on the one hand, taking us back to the intensity of the opening two tracks - with gritty, driving percussion; and on the other hand, adding the euphoric, dreamy melodics heard in ‘Superstitious Thoughts’. Floating string lines weave in and out of the lead melody, providing more dance-floor euphoria, building to another big moment around the four-minute mark, before driving back into proceedings with the strong rhythmic elements. A versatile track that could work equally well in both a techno and house context, providing a highly emotive, yet powerful moment.

Rounding things out, ‘Juxtaposition’, provides a smooth landing for the listener. As the name suggests, there is plenty of juxtaposition here, not only within the track, but the EP as a whole. A slower, yet potent breakbeat drum pattern, coupled with a punchy low end contrast beautifully with the lush, spacey pads; creating an intriguing atmosphere. Pink Floyd-esque synth leads, in an almost improvised manner over the top of a more ‘on the grid’ sequence, again providing a clever contrast throughout the piece, and leaving the listener with a fascinating end to this latest release.