Australian artist RY X and German producer Frank Wiedemann have seen a lot of success in their respective solo careers, Wiedemann also being one half of Âme, and being a co-founder of the popular Innervisions imprint, but their triumphs under the guise of Howling have been most impressive. They have amassed several million plays across multiple tracks on YouTube and Spotify, and have played live shows to crowds at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Chicago’s Lincoln Hall. Their debut
album Sacred Ground arrived in 2015 via Modeselektor’s Monkeytown, and just last week the pair made 2020 that little bit easier with the release of their sophomore offering, Colure. Arriving via the Ninja Tune owned Counter Records, who have previously released works from RAC, Maribou State and Odesza, Howling prove once again why they are one of the most noteworthy double acts in Europe. The album includes 13 tracks, and comes in the usual less-is-more, melodic form factor that Howling are known for, every sound serves a purpose, and nothing slips by unnoticed. Alongside their signature sound we’re also supplied with a serving of live drums on Dew, and a darker, slightly slower aesthetic on Mother, with plenty of pacing piano keys and rich, driving basslines in between. The intro and outro tracks are titled Ellipses I and Ellipses II, and seem to be the same track split into two slightly different arrangements.
Where to start:
‘Pieces’ – Beautiful synth harmonies and ghastly vocal chants
‘Need You Now’ – Dense and weighty percussive rhythms
‘Phases’ – Resonant melodies dance above warming low frequencies
Previous from Howling:
Sacred Ground LP (2015, Monkeytown / Counter)
If you like this then check out:
Bob Moses – Battle Lines (2018, Domino Recordings)
Christian Löffler – Lys (2020, Ki Records)
Howling – Colure is out now on Counter Records.