Bleep

A collaboration between Shigeru Ishihara (DJ Scotch Egg, Seefeel) and Kiki Hitomi (King Midas Sound) was always going to produce something pretty unique. Their team-up as WaqWaq Kingdom has already given us some brilliantly odd records, and this new LP Essaka Hoisa is no different. House, footwork, dub techno, drone and dancehall are all pulped and formed into new shapes across these ten tracks. It’s strange stuff, sometimes a little daunting but also weirdly welcoming and very fun. Those who’ve enjoyed recent releases from Shackleton and Nyege Nyege Tapes should turn their attention towards Essaka Hoisa.

The opening ‘Mum Tells Me’ acts kinda like a thesis for the album as a whole. A trance inspired synth line lasts just 30 seconds before a rumbling half-time hip hop beat smash cuts into frame. That sense of mischief is also present in ‘3rd Eye’ when the script flips quickly from busy ambience to a house production. WaqWaq Kingdom can play it straight with ease too: the bouncy hardcore of ‘Gift from God’ heads right for the pleasure centre in a good way., while its slamming counterpoint ‘Warg’ could pummel even the darkest techno warehouse with all those hand drums. All of which is to say, once you learn to roll with its expertly laid punches, Essaka Hoisa can offer a little something quite unique.