Sometimes a collaboration comes about that can feel as electrifying as a lightning storm in a disco ball factory. That’s sort of the case with Nikki Nair and Hudson Mohawke, two known agents of chaos who’s joint EP, Set The Roof, was surprise dropped from the ether. It’s no surprise that these two make for a dynamic duo. Nair, the enfant terrible of wonky and two-step, and Mohawke, the forefather of hyperpop, both share similar instincts for disruption. They represent the old and new guard of dance music rebels, and their meeting of minds results in an EP that effortlessly fuses their respective styles.
Perhaps most surprising is how Nair’s minimalist approach somewhat tempers Mohawke’s maximalism here. Nair brings a touch of refinement to the mix, resulting in a sound that exists at the intersection of garage and French house, without sacrificing Mohawke’s quirks. These are present in the contorted synths, chipmunk vocals, and other warped touches that can be felt across the EP, used sparingly so that against Nair’s stylistic touches, they feel impactful.
Download and stream Set The Roof here
The title track, a 2-step bop with helium pitched vocals, exemplifies the potential of Nair and Mohawke’s collaboration. The track is full of unexpected swerves and detours, an unmistakable Nair signature that works in tandem here with Mohawke’s love for distortion. Demuro is a joyride of a track, a supersonic French touch banger peppered with pitched up disco strings and off kilter vocal snatches, grounded by absolutely monstrous bass. Meanwhile, More Recently oozes with a rough, DIY rawness that, on closer inspection, is actually what Nair and Mohawke do best: meticulously crafted chaos.
Listen to the title track from Set The Roof below.
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