Dense & Pika – Oxbow (+Ron Trent Remix) [Kneaded Pains]
Alex Jones and Chris Spero aka Dense & Pika, have garnered an enviable reputation for making devastating club ordnance that finds the sweet spot between dark, mysterious house and roaring, brawny techno.
Their latest offering ‘Oxbow’ is a beautiful 8 and a half minute journey, brimming with alluring and emotive sonics. Kicking things off with enigmatic sounds that flicker and crackle under an echoed, bubbling melody the duo bring in colossal kicks setting a ferocious tone. The tension in the track builds over the first couple of minutes with the eery, melancholic energy suddenly shattered by elegant, uplifting synth melodies that deliver a profound sense of euphoria and juxtapose the harsh, dusty rhythm. Dense & Pika deliver an unexpected but astonishing cut that’s set to deliver those special, one-off dancefloor moments.
The duo have also enlisted Chicago royalty, Ron Trent to work his production magic for a seamless remix. Driving dubby bass tones and an effortlessly slick, off-kilter percussive rhythm drive the track along underneath bright and optimistic synths, drawn-out spacey chords and splashy energetic claps.