Barcelona based artist Ethel launches her very own vinyl imprint with a VA that is bursting with brand new music from a team of well known artists. A quick look at the tracklisting and you might be saying to yourself that you do not recognise any of the names? This is because each of the aliases are brand new for Life Enigma, a beautiful coincidence that perfectly exemplifies the ethos of the label – Life Enigma.
We begin our deep dive into this exciting new project of Ethel’s with one of the only unveiled mysteries of the release. A2 comes from Mevrouw Ciao who has been unmasked as none other than Dutchman DJ Tjizza. Entirely built for the floor, “Gevaatlijke Sferen” is a straight shot to the ravers. A buzzing bassline is coupled with intense ravey stabs and punchy drums. There is a momentary letup in the action, but only for a short shimmering moment, before being plunged back into the groove.
VA opener from Malakay, “Pietroforma” is similarly positioned in that it is designed to make the dancefloor move. A slightly deeper cut, but heavy hitting none the less in large thanks to the huge bass stabs and looping vocal clips. It is not until the acidity of the synthsection and the tapered shrillness of the synth string that the trancey nature reveals itself.
Flipping over to side B and DRF PILLS delivers “DXOTICA”, an epic electro dream that has end of night vibes written all over it. The bleepy cinema that unfurls during the opening moments of the track are soon brought back to earth with a firm thud before the bitter sweet theme is built back up again.
Completing the opening chapter for Ethel’s truly diverse and creatively expansive label is GU$$ and “The Nightmare”. What starts out as a fairly modest heater, soon descends into a melting pot of sounds and emotions. Squelchy bass struggles for a foothold against the backdrop of a barrage of synths and just when it seems the wheels are about to come off a synth string manages to tie it all together just in time. A disruptive track if ever there was one and the insane energy it produces will carry even the hardened raver away on a sea of synths and drum machines.
You can get your hands on LE001 via Deejay.de and Juno.
More info on Life Enigma
Instagram
