Chawktaw - Squba EP Review
- Sound Boy Ent.
- Jul 21, 2020
- 2 min read
We’ve got a special post lined up for you here. We’re beyond stoked to present Chawktaw's new EP 'Squba' that just dropped July 20th on Wake and Bake Records (W&B).
First thing’s first: a little history. W&B emerged in 2011 as a sister label to Bassclash Recordings, an imprint boasting early releases from producers like Badklaat and Requake. W&B was developed to focus on more organic sounds, including the murkier, uncharted corners of dubstep. Bassclash went on to be a major player in developing the sound now recognized as riddim and W&B lay dormant for a while. Fast forward to 2020, and the Bassclash owner recruits Josh Alder to reawaken W&B.
Josh is steeped in everything from dub to dancehall and he’s been a dubstep fan from his early days. “We’d listen to Rusko tunes on pirate radio,” he says, “Sat in a smokey car in an empty car park.”
Now, W&B is back, flexing full force with an EP from our very own, home grown, SBE heavy hitter: Chawktaw. “These two songs are exactly what I like when it comes to dubstep,” says Josh. “Wobbly, ‘make your head nod’ types of tunes.” Both tracks are sound system ready, primed to wreck the discotech.
Chawktaw is a musician first. He comes from a heavy-metal background, but his influences range from hardcore to chiptune, all of which he applies to his dubstep. He played many instruments before discovering bass music. “It turned my head completely on it's side,” he says. “It was refreshing. Opened my eyes to a world of sound I had no idea was there.” It wasn’t long before he was creating his own sounds. This EP gives us a glimpse into those worlds.
“Squba”, the first tune, drips with aquatic ambiance and oceanic weight. It begins with a haunting melody that sinks through the intro like someone tapping a Rhodes while the Titanic sinks. It leads the listener further down, where the melody resolves into a lurking wobble. The drop pulses like a weaponized jellyfish living at the bottom of the East River. Its fluctuations in speed and timbre are undeniably organic, and signature Chawktaw.
“W8” is a certified stinker, and true to its name. It’s clear about its intentions from the beginning, with its ominous womps and distant hi-hat triplets. “You know I bet I can guess what’s on your mind,” says the sample, before the hefty bass frequencies propagate dubbed-out metallic signals. If you’re not careful, they might read your mind. It sounds like there’s a broken clock swinging in the background, and if you listen closely you can hear the echoes of wind-chimes. “That one was fun,” says Chawktaw. “I just had the intention of, ‘I want to f@#k people up with the bass.’ It’s short and sweet: boom, hits you in the face and we’re out. Lighthearted, fun beats.” That’s the idea with Chawktaw: positivity through vibration. Moving people with the sound.
We can’t wait for his forthcoming release with Abysmal Entities, dropping next month!
LINKS TO SUPPORT BELOW:
Link to purchase:
Support Chawktaw:
Support Wake & Bake Records:
Stream Squba:
Stream W8:
Written By: James Farrell
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