Quench are Dutch duo Roel and Don Funcken, also known as Funckarma and Cenik. The brothers’ already prolific output covers a myriad of labels including Neo Ouija, Isophlux, Dub, U-cover and Delikatessen to name but a few. In their guise as Quench they already have several singles and compilation tracks to their name although Punctuated is their debut release for N5MD.
The music on Punctuated provides an interesting contrast in itself; on one hand it is modern, precise and digital yet on the other gentle and flowing. Imagine you are on a spaceship deep in space, all around you is the very latest in technology flashing and blipping away as it guides you while outside is the desolate beauty of the lunar landscape. Punctuated is very much like that; on the face of it very hi-tech with precise clinical beats and digital blips but look beyond that and you see a whole new dimension of flowing melodies and drifting texture. Examples of this concept in practice can be found in “Zane” and “Vexx”, both of which exhibit these elements in full effect. Punctuated is a skilful mix of sounds that creates contrasts; sterile yet emotive, rhythmic yet soothing, desolate yet lush. Sometimes lapsing into subtle deeper bassier territory – “Nemm” or “Latch” for example – and often adding a slightly abstract twist, Punctuated is a very direct and well conceived album. Add to that a sprinkling of dark tension here and there and Punctuated becomes a lot more than it originally seems.
On the face of it Punctuated might appear to be just another skillfully produced and constructed melodic beat-infused electronic album but looking deeper into these tracks and you’ll find a whole new direction to follow. Overall, an accomplished and enjoyable album.
Punctuated is OUT NOW on n5MD (Format: MD & CD).
