Introducing a welcomed return from producer and artist Bucko., following on from the simple title of 01 – 02 brings yet another short yet striking collection of beautifully heartfelt, expressive and ambient dance tracks.
Featuring bold and breathy vocals of depth from Rainfall, Won’t Forget utilises classic dance keys and synths to create an uplifting and aptly nostalgic opener that quickly lights up the room.
With this, the classic Bucko. creative comes into play – certain melodies, riffs, hints of tropical detail and production effects that help keep things interesting.
Beautifully crafted and emotive enough to really unite the worlds of dance and soulful song – the kind of sunset anthem that would prove blissfully immersive at a festival or live set.
Vocals throughout this new EP help give it an unpredictable and consistently interesting edge. Consider the raw folk mixing and delivery of Take A Chance – that folk rhythm and click, the vocal movement, all feels completely different to the project’s opener. That is, aside from the simple fact that it uplifts, unites, and energises in a similarly euphoric way.
Superb, what great song-writing and production combined – an addictive, ultimately explosive hit, and a personal favourite from this release.
Fresh synths and a certain distorted warmth meet with delicate vocals once again as Just You rings out like an anthem of intimacy and oneness – a full sounding hit of escapism that again celebrates unique creativity in its reach and power.
Breathe follows on with more of the same unpredictable sense of freedom – faster-paced, sudden and hypnotic, prompting you to move and weaving in a piano melody that impresses at the very same time. This one just builds and builds to seemingly impossible heights, ironically gifting barely any time at all for the listener to breathe. Fantastic.
A touch of sax and a retro, compressed drum-line meet with a nineties-style leading progression for an ambient, dreamy By The Pool – another favourite, raining down with absolute warmth and a certain peacefulness to its pace and precision.
At the final hurdle, wonderfully unusual vocals from Jack & Daisy draw the listener in close for a swirling universe of classic dance synths and colours and rhythms. Something of a slow burner, but a fine choice for the closer given its level of character and heart.
Where EDM may have followed a few select rules over the past couple of decades, Bucko. is one of a handful of producers who still manage to keep things fresh and artistic; without losing sight of the essential elements that make it what it is. 02 exemplifies this quality beautifully well. A fine collection of originals, more than worth a few streams this side of the summer.
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