• Groovy and darker tone
• Minimalistic approach, focus on the driving bassline
• A transition towards a newer evolved style?
The generic title of the latest Notalike creation probably shouldn’t bother you, because “Down Low” has potential, as expected! The Italian duo (previously known as RAGERZ) has positively impressed us (and many fans alike) in their 2 years of existence, with a multitude of bangers released principally on Fonk, Panther’s Groove and Revealed.
Their style is what I like to denote “Italian Groove“: introduced to the mainstream Dance spectrum by Merk & Kremont in Protocol release “Zunami” in 2013, this groovy Electro House utilizes signature stabbing synths and intense basslines. If you have ever heard songs by other Italians like Dirty Ducks, Sunstars and naturally Notalike, one can recognize the similarities, even if the artists are reworking it with alternative ideas. Dannic acted as the main perpetrator of this well-liked style, and, in fact, most of these releases are found in Fonk Recordings (and, sometimes, on Panther’s Groove).
The Piemontese duo, in fact, has adopted a darker twist, more focused on aggressive basslines and deeper, hypnotic melodies. We can still notice the characteristic Italians stabs, but in “Down Low” we have another shift towards an enigmatic mood. After the splendid “Sax Tape” (by far my favourite release, not regarding the RAGERZ’s ones), Notalike are back on the Panther’s label with an aggressive hit.
The metallic lead accompanies a rather overused vocal loop (a detail that I didn’t prefer), switching with classic horn and a very adeptly crafted bass-segment. There are bass/deep house influences with a pinch of funk for good measures in the build-up, reaffirming my hopes within the intro that “Down Low” has potential. Old-school influences are starting to infiltrate the Notalike’s structure, together with innovative elements in the final section, containing a more complex hook and an unexpected chorus sample.
Notalike are building something especially discernible this year: they are evolving their “Italian Groove” has a more idiosyncratic blueprint, adding both old and new influences. “Down Low” left me in a dazzled sensation, a “one foot in, one foot out” release, but I’m absolutely curious for the following updates from this acts.
What do you think?
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