Review:
At 35 years old, Frank Lorber carries a wealth of experience within electronic music. Inextricably linked to Sven Vath's Cocoon imprint, he returns to the label alongside Bernd Maus and Erik Besier as Tres to deliver an EP of four tracks of big room, deep tech infused with all the FX and sweeps that we have come to expect from this trio. Cocoon Recordings has been a staple in Lorber's career. In 2002, his second album, Jailhouse Rocker was one of the first artist albums to be released on the then newly formed label. Now truly global and instantly recognisable, Cocoon release the collaborative work of Lorber, 2Dollar Egg member Eric Besier and Bernd Maus who is also co-owner of Freebase, one of Germany's most successful record shops. Opening with "Uno," the EP delves deep into subsonic rhythm. Tribal percussion is layered on top of low end bass and distorted vocals. It is bouncy techno that takes a more stripped down form, announcing the release in slick style. "Dos" is more playful, with more harmonies and lighter percussive patterns. A rolling basslines adds funk as the track chugs along in its own groove. Taking things deeper and darker is "Tercero," which brings a dub influence into the trio's tribal techno. Again using distorted vocals, the futuristic feel of this release remains present without getting lost in FX and glitch. Finishing the EP is the mind bending "Cuarto." Wrapped around morphing synths, the 4/4 beat and deep, menacing bassline creates an uneasy atmosphere. Music that you can really get lost in, both "Cuarto" and the EP as a whole, explore the different atmospheres in which a groove can manifest itself within.