Dutch artist Estroe, has been a fundamental part of the music scene in her native homeland. Growing up in a suburb of the Amsterdam capital, she has risen to prominence, breaking through a glass ceiling in a country whose influence on the global music scene has grown exponentially over the last decade and a half. At home behind the decks at clubs from Berlin to Brussels and Tokyo to Rotterdam, Estroe has carved out a significant niche for herself since her early commercial work hit the clubs on her own EevoNext imprint run with compatriot, Stefan Robbers. Since then, Estroe has had over one hundred Beatport credits to her name including a 2009 full-length album for Connaisseur Recordings, and her work supported by heavyweights such as Laurent Garnier, John Digweed and techno legend, Dave Clarke. The latter is a regular supporter of her work, also booking Estroe for the upcoming "ADE" later this year.
The EevoNext imprint has also evolved to include a monthly show on Proton Radio with a mixture of old classics and undiscovered new talents. Marking an impressive debut on Proton Music with her "Living Apart Together" EP and a remix of Apologist's "Give me Your Hands", both in 2012, Estroe now returns to Proton with her brand new three-track "After I'm Gone" EP with two symmetrical originals and a remix from fellow Dutchman, Jarno.
The title track, "After I'm Gone" is wonderful collage of straight house beats with a groove provided by carefully placed toms and pressurised steam-released white noise effects across a series of angular riffs, drones, and stabs. A hybrid series of mechanical sounds, spoken vocal sample and early German techno give "After I'm Gone" a true Kraftwerk-esque sound.
Partner track, "Before I Go" follows in its predecessor footsteps. A strong, rapid-fire, techno kick drum provides the backbone for a crunching straight rhythm section to lock tightly together as a resonant analogue filter rises in intensity to squelching patterned glory. As the elements combine, a series of deliciously incongruent chord progressions bring a further pensive dynamism in the final movement.
Final contributor to the EP comes in the shape of Jarno's "Walking Backwards Remix" of "After I'm Gone". Producing from the Amsterdam capital, Jarno's fondness for the sounds of Grandmaster Flash and the grooves of the early 1990s have found his work represented on imprints such as Rush Hour, Manual Music and Deep Explorer. Over a decade's experience DJ'ing across the Netherlands has seen him shape his musical sensibilities to produce a luscious deep house sound that perfectly juxtaposes against the angular beats and sounds of Estroe's original work. A low-slung groove opens the Jarno remix accompanied by a warm and smooth pad drone that envelops a series of subtle stabs and deep house chords that bounce gently across the stereo spectrum.
Two original tracks and a sublime remix from Jarno have ensured that "Before I Go" will keep Estroe's innovative sound fresh and vibrant long "After I'm Gone".
Directed by Jay Epoch
AandR by Estroe, Renee Ugarteche
Mastered by Estroe, Cid Inc.
Design by Ben Mautner
Text by James Warren