PEVERELIST PULSE ECHO: ADDICTIVELY PURCUSSIVE
The Bristol based producer drops his 4th EP in the series…
Although I wasn’t around in the ’90s, I certainly feel like I was—or at least, I should have been—after listening to Peverelist’s Pulse Echo EP. The Bristol-based magician released his fourth Pulse EP late last year in November, and it rocked our boots even more than the previous three.
If the first Pulse is proportionally mild, sympathetic, and a touch ambient, and the second is a “modular” synth-heavy bass onslaught with some breakbeats thrown in, while Phase offers a housey iteration, then Echo, as the name suggests, is a combination of all three.
Pulse XIII cuts through with slow-building modulation driven by what can only be described as hi-tech lasers from your favorite intergalactic sci-fi film, while being held up by ominous reverberating chords. The second track, Pulse XIV, and our favorite on the EP, takes us out of the enclosure that Pulse XIII created and launches a '90s jungle reboot with Peverelist's signature snares, a satisfying breakbeat, and a kick rhythm underpinned by distant vocals.
Dissonant ringing, arpeggiating intermittent synths, echoing chords—and suddenly, your washing machine has finished its cycle? The pleasantly timed half-pauses, syncopated FM bass, and tactical hi-hats make this a masterpiece impossible to get bored of. Pulse XV isn’t trying to shoot us with lasers or tell us to take out our washing; it’s a gentle beast with delicate bongo-esque drums and a relaxing bass hook over atmospheric chords. Relaxing, you could say, more akin to Pulse Phase and the first EP—something housey and vibey.
The last track on the list is Pulse XVI, another housey number with a gentle introduction, flowing smoothly on from the last before hitting us with a juicy bassline that ushers in some robot birds… I’ll stop. The tweety lasers. Sorry. Whirling, gentle snares, scratchy dissonant string sounds, and awesomely ’90s house chords make this track hard to pin down. One minute it’s like being at a beach party, and the next, an underground techno rave—but that’s why it’s so damn addictive. Twists and turns, so to speak, and perhaps the perfect way to round off the EP.
Maybe it’s time to lose the Roman numerals and just release the album. I’m finding it hard to keep track.
Peverelist continues to be one of the most interesting and pioneering artists in his burgeoning field, and we highly recommend you treat yourself to a Pulse Echo listen.
