A Lot on My Crate

I’ve never heard of this electronic duo that hails from Montreal, Quebec before this. But Resident Advisor made props to this outfit on their debut album, Fold. Francis Latreille and Patrick Holland have been going at it for a decade now and it’s surprising how long they’ve decided to jump the gun on Fold. They’ve released many EPs with tech house and ambient techno being their bread and butter and will work to commandeer the dance floor. Their work is prolific and work load has been prolific, but this is all before me knowing who they are. It’s amazing they are this committed to working together after all these years and if their past works sounds anything like Fold or an amalgamation of their past craft then I’m all for it. Because what this dance LP has done is working wonders to ones ears. It is a standout from a formula and it is ambitious in its scope as there are many features being brought to the front lines to help elevate this experience. It’s tech house as a whole, so you’ll be moving to the beat and grooves of this fresh sound. So, it did the job well enough for me to spread the good word and cheer of Jump Source. It is always a good feeling when that one project hasn’t sifted through one’s fingers. And as an electronic fan, I can confidently say this is going to be one of my favorite dance projects this year. This album is will be one for the ages for the aged like me, but we got a gem here that will fuel your sleepless nights.

“Nice and Edgy” is exactly what I need to be in the mood and sets the lighting and stage for a crowd that wishes to dissociate and escape. Any dance fan will be enamored by this. There is nothing but highs on “Shattered” as Helena Deland and Ross Meen’s vocables and whispers have made the lead melody and hook so hypnotic as the production just looms over like a shaded veil. It felt like a Bicep joint from their Chroma series not too long ago. It becomes whimsical and idiosyncratic with these IDM breakbeats, backing marimbas, and these alien-like chants that eases us into this bass on “Affect”. It really sounds like you’re surrounded by these critters that are not from around here, but it’s not threatening at all. It’s like being suspended in midair with this sound that just expands the room on the next one being “A Dull Knife”. If anyone is into trip hop this would be your resting area. You have these synths and instrumentals seem so far away and the theatrical vocals form Harmony Index being a feature fits its glamorous vibe like a velvet glove in hand. “All You Do Is…” is what it feels like when one finally finishes that spin class and you feel good about your sweaty ass as the music feels so triumphant and ever growing. What I love so much about “Endlessly” is that there are a lot of memorable ear worm moments here, whether it’s feature, BEA1991 being such a deliverer of vibes on many segments in the first half, or how the duo made the backing synths so magical in its backdrop. I love it when the strings came in at the midpoint and the theme just goes on and on. The duo knows this one is a killer on the floor.

“Fade City” is the cooldown with all its suspense feeling like a Mission Impossible saboteur in the club. We get to the album’s title theme and with all the ghostly vocal samples with this future garage beat it all builds to the vocal harmony features. I hear some parts that remind me of Floating Points and Overmono here. Then I must say, I must be going crazy and would like to imagine Billy Woods just walk by other artists’ studios and ask, “Can I get in on this?” It’s kind of hilarious he’s been popping up on my album listens that’s not a Woods LP for this year, but “Empty Bars” is a highlight. Latrielle and Holland know exactly how to utilize Wood’s inflection and flows by giving him space and not giving too much by going at this minimalist beat during the flows and then these ghostly hollowed out acid synths with reverb guitars along with an echoed out Woods after each verse. I think Kenny Segal would nod to this. “Museum Fatigue” feeling like an interlude with its scuzzy IDM breakbeat is the last call for drinks in this club as it leads us to the final closer of the album. “Close” is a complete 180 in what the album has been doing and is this downtempo dream pop number. It works very well surprisingly as the song makes it feel like the city sleeps with these soft whispers from Poison Girl Friend as it reminds me of what Lemon Jelly would do on their laid back cuts. The dance floor is done and the only people left are the ones slow dancing as they are tired from the sleepless night.

For me, the second half is not as comparable as the first. The vibes were there, however the last leg didn’t have memorable melodies as much as the first. The features on “Fold” were too run of the mill for me and “Museum Fatigue” felt like a really long interlude. Despite these moments, the album did its job and made move throughout.

If one doesn’t have the motivation to go out into club, then the club can come to you! Fold is not only great as a tech house album, but as a relief from the stress outside the outer world walls. Dance fans will not be disappointed. It not only has the grooves, but it doesn’t sound run of the mill as there are many details in the background that make these tracks sound unique and come to life. Thank you, Jump Source, but I can’t wait for another ten years for another stellar album like this one.

FAVORITE TRACKS: NICE & EDGY, SHATTERED, AFFECT, A DULL KNIFE, ALL YOU DO IS…, ENDLESSLY, EMPTY BARS, CLOSE

LEAST FAVORITE: MUSEUM FATIGUE

You can purchase this album on Bandcamp and their discography is also available for streaming.

https://jumpsource.bandcamp.com/album/fold