By: It’s becoming hard to keep up with Winter Son releases. Otherwise known as Tom Ragsdale of worriedaboutsatan/Ghosting Season etc. Here he teams up with Jozef K once again. This is the fourth (I think!) EP the duo have released having already had releases for the likes of Let’s Play House, Last Night On Earth and Rebirth
Now Chaos Dancing Star is here and coming out on the legendary Skint records owned by Norman Cook. Ragsdale has already established himself as Winter Son with much more Techno based tracks. However, they usually maintain an element of the “alternative” and dark vibe of his work with Gavin Miller also. With Josef K the two combine their vast experience with much more dancefloor friendly results. It’s no surprise really as Josef K has established himself as a renowned House dj with his resident spot at Sankeys club in Manchester.
This release wastes no time and ‘Dancing Chaos Star’ kicks things off making it obvious these tracks are aimed to make you move. After a slow build, a hook laden melody unfolds over stabs of bass. As the tempo builds you find yourself involuntarily moving as it takes hold. Jozef K has mastered the art of Dj’ing with his residency at Sankeys meaning he is often warming the crowd up for a guest dj. His intuition of knowing when to use restraint or drop bangers is apparent throughout his work with Winter Son. Tom brings a darker edge and a wealth of influence and knowledge of genre’s outside just dance music. So the two really have combined from different musical backrounds but a shared love of music and sweaty club dancefloors, to make their releases stand out.
Back to the EP and ‘Forbidden Ritual’ has a darker tone with punishing rhythms and makes use of vocal samples. A relentlessness runs throughout until the massive bass drop. It makes for a guaranteed hit on dance floor. ‘Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter’ contains flashes of synth and dub undertones. It’s infectiously catchy with intoxicating blend of stimulating beats and samples.
Three tracks that carry a theme musically and feel natural together. However, individually they will work in a set for the dancefloor or even just a playlist at home. Winter Son & Jozef K seem to be ready to unleash plenty more tracks upon us, Let’s hope we can keep up.
