- Evian Christ's metamorphosis from primary school teacher to Kanye West collaborator has been swift and stunning. The 24-year-old, who first came to prominence with 2011's druggy Kings And Them mixtape, received an email last year requesting his services as a collaborator on West's Yeezus LP. He produced album track "I'm In It" and later signed a publishing deal with West's G.O.O.D. Music, putting his teaching career on hold for a bit. Waterfall is his first release since.
"Waterfall," the EP's standout, is a crashing amalgam of beauty and brutalism, with steel-clad percussion and synths mercilessly punching holes in an ethereal background. Opener "Salt Carousel" is an aggressive, icy blend of tormented synths and vocals and dysfunctional bass, while "Propellor" and "Fuck Idol" match squalling synths with deliciously grinding percussion. Reminiscent in places of Pan Sonic's blocky brutality, Burial's sudden atmosphere shifts and Vatican Shadow's abrasive beauty, Waterfall is as brightly promising as it is stark and cold.
TracklistA1 Salt Carousel
A2 Fuck Idol
B1 Propeller
B2 Waterfall