NO.LINK hits us with a high-octane powerhouse of an EP
'SWEAT' is a 4am dark, sweaty room kind of an EP, in the best kind of way
South Korean-based artist NO.LINK ignites the scene with his latest EP ‘SWEAT’, now available on The Architects Records.
This five-track EP is a ride through hard groove, techno, and fast electro, showcasing NO.LINK's prowess in delivering hard-hitting beats and infectiously urgent rhythms.
The title of the project speaks volumes. 'SWEAT' is tailor-made for a dimly lit, pulsating late-night dancefloor, where its raw energy can truly come alive. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to, to be a punch-in-the-face listen.
NO.LINK was nominated for the Electronic Music of the Year Award at the Korean Popular Music Awards 2024, and we can see why with this project.
Each track carves out its own unique identity within the hard techno space, whether through intricate percussion, innovative sample choices, or well-placed vocal chops, all while maintaining an unwavering ferocity.
Our pick is a toss-up between the slower, more subdued and melodic ‘Dusk’ and the in-your-face ‘Back’.
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‘Dusk’ is a more interesting and creative song, but the percussion and aggression of ‘Back’ is undeniable. Hard drums, blaring synths and the “Now I'm back to funk, freak the funk, hype the funk, swipe the funk and all that junk” sample we all know and love.
This is the first project I’ve heard from the artist, but I had to go through the other five he’s released and it’s impressive how much energy and urgency all of his catalogue carries.
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Hailing from Seoul, The Architects Records (TA.R) is run by AVALON, ALIVE999, 0NN1 and RADIOFEAR.
Originally starting as an event series at Cakeshop before evolving into a full-fledged label back in 2020, TA.R boasts an impressive roster of releases and compilations, signalling a bright future for the promising label.
Purchase NO.LINK’s 'SWEAT' EP here.
Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.
