EP Review: It's Fun You Know - Rework

Having had five years off prior to its release I'd half expected Rework's Werewolf EP last year to be one off, or at least for a couple of years to pass before we heard anything else from our enigmatic trio. And yet here we are, just half a year later, with some new material.

What's more, whilst Werewolf came out on Parisien label Meant this new release, It's Fun You Know, comes on Rework's own label Loveyeah. Loveyeah is set to be a label for like minded artists but to usher it into the world Rework have understandably chosen to put out some of their own material.

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​It's Fun You Know - Rework

The It's Fun You Know EP features three original tracks and opens with the title track. That track treads a line that will be familiar to fans of Rework but it's still noticeably distanced from the analogue aggression of Werewolf, with It's Fun You Know consisting of a hypnotic techno soundscape. Vocal clips are blended into a mechanical, atmospheric mix full of reverb and a tightly looped bass line.

Thrill Me is a little more extroverted, snappy bass, lose drums and high hats whilst Rework's trademark approach sees vocals worked deep into the mix - it's both funky and understated to the point of being aloof.

The last of the original tracks is The Sign, a locked down bass groove that delivers slightly scratchy drum kicks and very little else. Rework's productions are full of cool touches - the sound of those drums perfect, the slight analogue vinyl crackle almost inaudible - yet I'd be the first to admit that it's not exactly accessible, and this is the trio tacking that to extremes.

A little more easy to get into is Jeans Team's version of Werewolf, which closes out the EP. They add a series of hollow drum sounds and strip back the synth groove a bit whilst pushing the vocals up high in the mix. The result retains that Eurotrash cool but gives it a more ambient, open feel. Some ridiculous vocal synths complete the look, creating a track that feels like it would have been as at home in 1986 as now. With slick analogue synths and lots of echo, it's not exactly fucking pretty, but it's pretty fucking cool.

It's Fun You Know is out now on Loveyeah, listen via Spotify below:​

EP Review: Werewolf EP - Rework

​Five years have passed since Rework's last release but this new EP for Parisian label Meant sees them pick up more or less where they left off. They are probably best remembered for their releases through Playhouse that straddled the divide between electro-cool and techno exemplified on 2007's 'Love Love Love Yeah'.

Rework's return is slinky and effortlessly cool. Like a high class sordid Euro techno road trip on spring break, this is an EP with its sights set of the dark arts of seduction - warm, analogue bass and clipped drum patterns create an intensely close experience.

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Werewolf - Rework​

The EP's title track starts with a slow build that takes more than half the track's duration to reach a climatic acid crescendo and it is from here that the track proper begins. A mélange of Electroclash style unaffected vocals and a bassline with a swagger 'Werewolf' oozes cool. An impressive feat after five years off. Magda turns in a remix that may not quite have the same punch but creates a sharp edge with a throbbing bassline strumming away in the background and plenty of reverb. 

'Touch Yourself' retains the chic European vibe but whilst the looping vocals echo around your head it is the electro inspired bassline that proves irresistible, providing the foundation to a series of shuffling layers of beat foreplay. The Remain remix feels like a much loser, dub-influenced take - crisp hand clap and fuzzy chords provide a sharp contrast to that bassline. It's a druggy trip and the headstrong intensity marks it out as a highlight on this release.

The digital release also comes backed with bonus track 'That I Like'. In comparison to the two main tracks that make up the release it is a less glamorous and ultimately less exciting offering, a mishmash of vocal cuts and looped beats. That slight unnecessary misstep to one side The Werewolf is hard to resist.

The Werewolf EP is released on 10th September on 12" and MP3, both through Meant. You can pre-order the digital release on Amazon here [affiliate link].