Shantam Releases 2nd EP Under Shantones Series Exploring Techno

At the start of the year, Shantam launched the project Shantones. The Goa-based Noida-rooted musician has just released the 2nd EP under the banner with 'Iridescent'.

With the project outright made to explore different musical identities for the multi-genre artist, the new 3-track release dedicates itself to the straight grooves of four-to-the-floor techno. Though the EP is heavily inclined toward a lot of the genre's usual arrangement elements, from confining the low-end to the drums' rumble and 909 snare rolls to repeating atonal noises to opening hi-hats creating the anticipation of energy changes, Shantam's identity as not a purist in this style eventually comes through.

Exhibiting his usual restlessness with ideas, the basslines begin rolling on opener 'EXohEx' halfway through, while similarly 'House Et MD' jumps from the darkness of techno to the lightness of house music halfway through with jovial low-end melodies. The final track 'Zeesquito' goes on to combine the morphing arpeggios of acid house with the deep electric piano chords of lo-fi house while utilising voice samples. Whether by design or through something that Shantam can't help, his exploration of club energy on the EP creates techno that overtly belongs to the classic aesthetics of the style but doesn't confine itself to it. Incidentally, it is perfect if you want classic techno but just different enough to stand apart.

Listen to 'Iridescent' below and follow Shantam for more.