Australia’s own Arky Waters offers a refreshing blend of original work in the Johera EP. It’s easy to appreciate his vision, choosing to challenge himself by exploring various sounds across a wide pallet of genres in an industry all too known for sticking to sounds that are safe and easy. The EP overflows with creativity and craftsmanship, each track bringing something new to the table.
“We Aint Like Dem” kicks off the EP with intensity. The track’s four-on-the-floor rhythm gives you a sense of direction, punctuated by a pounding bass and an undeniable groove. “Blessings” brings in a futuristic hard techno dimension, interspersed with well-timed breakbeat that leave you on your toes. “Roadkill,” expands fully into breakbeat territory, tying together colorful melody and high energy into one piece – all while remaining super catchy. The chopped-up vocal work is meticulously precise, creating an outstanding, fun-loving part of the song easy to play back many times over.
Peaking the energy, “Moth” initially leads you to believe you’re in for a melodic house treat, but sneak-attacks with a swirl of energizing genres too hybridized to put into category. The title track, “Johera,” brings the arc of the EP to close. It delicately balances familiar vocal samples tones with a tech house beat; easing the listener back to the real world with a sense of satisfaction.
Arky Waters writes,
“These songs are just timestamps to my education on electronic music. I started to move towards more natural and tribal sounds—probably as a result of the fatigue of getting into the harder side of techno. My aim for the last two tracks was to make something really earthy.”
Stream the EP below and enjoy!
Arky Waters – Johera
-Written By: Chad Downs