Review

Black Sites

Prototype EP

PAN Records • 2013

Helena Hauff and f#x are resident-Djs at the Golden Pudel in Hamburg, a club valuing the origins of club culture while considering itself to be up to date with modern vibes. Both Hamburg-born musicians have established a certain kind of sound through their events, which seems to be custom-made for the venue: It combines purism and avant-garde while being anything but predictable at the same time. Under the name of Black Sites, f#x and Helena Hauff (who has just released her debut for Actress’ Werkdisc) have teamed up and produced the »Prototype EP« for PAN Records. It’s as charming as a pair of ripped jeans because the artists’ weakness for analogue sounds, electronic melodies and well-tried throwback-house gives the two tracks their special rock’n’roll-flair. Both tracks definitely qualify for the dance floor, too. The bass-drum on »Prototype« approaches 130 bpm while being flanked by hi-hats; on »N313P« it’s a bit slower but the track is still drivy through the handclaps accompanying the beat. Soundwise, there is not much variation in the beat. Black Sites rather bundle their attention to detail when it comes to dirty, rusty, noisy and blurry melodies, because it’s those kind of sounds fascinating them most.