Ouanounou and Gipsyan join forces for a powerful Global Club EP to come on Monstart
Fifteen years already that the Montpellier label Monstart has been shaking up the Occitan club scene – more generally French – and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop any time soon. With a range of impeccable releases produced by the label’s new recruits – Pura Pura, Cardozo and Karlita, an exciting residency on the local Piñata Radio, and regular parties at the Antirouille club in Montpellier, the news of Monstart is fascinating. That was without counting on their next release: a stunning joint EP from the excellent co-boss of the label Ouanounou, and Gipsyan, also newly arrived in the ranks, but already seen among the colleagues of Contre Jour, and of course, Piñata Radio.
Entitled Stepping Out, this EP was an opportunity for the two producers to merge their experience and workflow directly in the studio. The result? Six high-production bangers ready to devastate any dancefloor. Three tracks credit the two producers, while we find a solo track from Ouanounou and two for Gipsyan. In terms of musical identity, the EP boasts diverse and cutting-edge club influences (Juke, Footwork, Hard Drum), with a penchant for the UK scene. To top it off, four remixes from pioneers are added to the tracklisting: Marfox, NKC, DJ Polo and Henzo.
For Ouanounou, this is a complete project synthesizing the influences that have sculpted his artistic identity since his first EP was released seven years ago. It is a work as introspective as it is calibrated for clubs and dance floors.
For his part, Gipsyan describes it as a highlight of his career; logical, what’s more, because Monstart was the only label with whom he was in contact even before participating in their events.
Ahead of the release, the Occitan publisher entrusted us with the title “Carmy”, a solo work by Ouanounou. The ultra-solid track interweaves then defragments preconceived rhythmic patterns and pushes abstraction to its climax. Enjoyable.
Pre-order Stepping Out by Ouanounou and Gipsyan on Bandcamp, released on Monstart on November 24 on digital and vinyl.
