Project Description

SLUMBERJACK – Fracture (EP Review)

Australian EDM duo, SLUMBERJACK, have come out with their second EP, Fracture. The new release definitely feels like the duo really wanted to kick things into high gear with more extravagant and dazzling build-ups and drops.

Fracture’s two main singles, Fracture (feat. Vera Blue) and Afraid, Unafraid (feat. Sydnee Carter), were the perfect tracks to give listeners an insight on the tone and style of the EP. The best part, being that these are the first and last tracks on the release, is the progression that the songs take as the EP moves forward.

Beginning with Afraid, Unafraid the audience is delivered a great SLUMBERJACK tune. The use of vocal samples, varying in pitch and entwining themselves with a metronome beat and fast synths. It’s hard not to be entranced from the start of the song.

Though the EP seems to take an almost oriental turn, with its use of some more classical instruments like the mandolin and inciting string sections throughout, SLUMBERJACK do a great job of putting their electronic twists on these instruments. Take the song Paralyse for example, starting out with an instantly enticing slow violin, but as we get further and further into the verses the strings get more warped, playing underneath perfectly as the various percussion and synths come in to build and back up to the drop. Then there’s Take Me (feat. KLP), which begins with these deep strings that transition brilliantly with a great melody from KLP. Cradle in the Gave (Interlude) is when the EP truly feels as though it goes into an oriental tone, with the use violins, cellos, flutes, and a mandolin, all converging into a great build up to FractureFracture uses a guitar sample that almost has a deep country twang to it; this somehow works in tandem incredibly well with the various beat patterns that flow throughout the verses.

Considering the drops on Fracture, SLUMBERJACK have done a great job of keeping each track both unique and engaging. The climax on Afraid, Unafraid is more vocal-sample-centric, accompanied by very fast hi-hats and deep, slow, warped tones that all accumulate into a very satisfying drop, especially near the end of the track when the fast bass drum comes into play. Paralyse and Fracture are the most similar on the EP with their wavy sounds, both very textured and have a high pitched and static sound to them, though Fracture definitely feels like the more fleshed out of the two, incorporating vocal samples from Vera Blue and with it’s break-neck paced synths that play underneath. While Take Me’s drop sounds great with its marching pace, bass drum and deep, rough sound, it’s Cradle to Grave that takes the cake here. With a great slow burn build up, the high pitched, glitzy and grand finish just keeps pushing higher and higher, having all these different drum sounds that dance around ranging from hollow to wholesome, really creating something spectacular.

As for the features here, each fits in very snuggly with their songs. Sydnee Carter silky smooth vocals give a great layer of rhythm and flow to the track. KLP’s feature, while it works well, feels very under utilised, not having very long in the spotlight apart from her repetitive “take me” lyrics. When she does get her chance to sing, she isn’t put in the forefront nearly as much as she should be, being outdone by the sounds surrounding her voice. Lastly, Vera Blue really gave a stunning performance as always, slowly building up with the song and giving everything before the drop comes in.

SLUMBERJACK have delivered a great second EP with no real negatives. Going for their big, bright and meaty drops, the duo have given five awesome tracks that never have a dull moment. It’s no wonder these guys are rising through the ranks of the Australian EDM scene.

Check out below, SLUMBERJACK’s live version of their song Afraid, Unafraid preformed on Triple J recently.

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