Golden Hour’s third extended player, Tzonot, is the very first release of the Buenos Aires-based record label Alma. Tzonot is a subtle, yet powerful statement on daily struggles and contradictions; a compound piece of work that faces global dance-floor emotion and rhythm, with personal distress. It all begins with strong, heavy breaks, which unfold into a dry and dense-sounding beat architecture, anticipating spine-chilling suspense. A continuous sub-bass then lays the ground for timeless, nostalgic melodies and ambient textures that build-up to the track’s apex, providing a deep sense of recognition with the listener. Tzonot locates itself in perfect balance between the past and future. Analog tape processing of its synths- done with a 1967 Telefunken and a Studer A80- supply palpable vintage glitches, while Golden Hour’s sense of positioning and Audio Animals delicate master deliver the overall contemporary feeling. This combination flourishes as we perceive the utter dynamics of its rhythmic core, while also amassing the wide and warm cinematic vibe embodied in its melodic development. Whereas Tzonot hits an emotional nerve, Perception Game thrives on a different standard. It’s a bass-driven, energetic, and unapologetic ode to the now-forgotten club experience. Without any intention of resolving, the track moves forward with determination, building up to its initial promise: uplifting raving. The melody creeps up in the breakdown, taking us home and landing the record on its feet.
Winged Wheel anchor their Space Age grooves in rock, the muscle of drum and bass and guitar undergirding wild flights of fancy. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 3, 2024