Djrum - Meaning's Edge [EP]

Really awesome first single for Djrum's new EP and first big rpject since Portrait With Firewood.

Meaning's Edge | Djrum (bandcamp.com)

Releasing November 22nd.

Djrum's first release since 2019, the Meaning’s Edge EP is an introduction to a whole new world. For the artist also known as Felix Manuel, it was created in the final stretches of six rather traumatic years work. Having carefully honed his techniques and aesthetics, and learned some hard-won emotional lessons over this time, finally he began to work in a quicker, lighter fashion – and to cleanse his palate a little by bringing in a fresh ingredient: his own flute playing. For listeners, though, it will serve as an appetiser, a way into the delights and complexities of this new phase of his creativity.

It’s a serious work in its own right, mind. The use of flutes – including Bansuri, Shakuhatchi, Western Classical, and synthesised all blending and blurring into one another – gives it a coherence and a sense of airiness that unites the five tracks over half an hour, however divergent their beats get. And as in all his music, Felix’s whole life is in here. Ethnomusicology studies, untold hours of DJing everywhere from the gnarliest squat raves to the most rarefied deep house clubs, explorations of his own neurological and emotional makeup, and the technical finesse of someone who is never not creating music or art, all roll into an experience that’s dazzling, delightful and keeps on giving.

Just the opening track ‘Codex’ alone touches on OG dubstep, Aphex Twin-like braindance, post-classical exploration, movie themes and more. The gentle tones and melodies that rise up out of it perfectly conjure Felix’s running theme of a protective bubble that provides a sense of safety and tranquillity even as the beats and acid gurgles and spurts all around it conjure up the slings and arrows of life’s difficulties.

The tone set, the EP moves through ultra-rarefied glass-like percussion in an almost ambient setting, hints of grime’s counterintuitive patterns, and even more hectic patterns influenced by Tanzania’s hyperspeed singeli style of dance music – but always with that perfect balance of chaos and control, unpredictability and protection. It rewards playing and replaying endlessly, it’s a profound and often joyous experience… and it’s only just the beginning. This is the return of a master craftsperson more focused than ever on his vision and vocation and ready to blow your mind all over again. 

I was just thinking about Djrum the other day. I saw he released a remix a few weeks ago and it is a 10 minute journey. I was absolutely in love with the Firewood album. This single sounds sick too.

This is fucking excellent!

looking forward. check his new monstrous remix of objekt. 

Was absolutely obsessed with his track Hard to Say back in 2019/2020 this is very exciting stuff

Portrait didn't do a whole lot for me back in the day. It has grown on me though!

This new track is mindblowing imo

Pretty excited for this. Portrait gets a full replay a few times a year from me.
Djrum's been on my mind since I saw the Objekt remix drop (great piece building on a great original), so happy to see it was the beginning of a new material rollout.
Codex is already cooking.

Ah man...seems like I shat myself for nearly a year over "Ganzfeld". Glad to hear it's getting revived for extra attention. Also a big Djrum fan and I'm trying to get excited for this remix. It's capable for sure--the chops are clearly on display. I might have trouble forever with it because "Ganzfeld" is one of the leanest, meanest, punchiest slabs of Copshow Dadfunk ever produced. I say this even in light of "Syro" and Richard's corpus watching the screen as I type. This is sidetalk anyway since it's not "Meaning's Edge" related so I'ma fuck off elsewhere   

portrait is good i just listened to it today

Preordered the shiz out of this. 

Hard To Say/Tournesol is in regular rotation as well for those of you that maybe don't have it.

This fella has a very good understanding of phrasing.

Thanks for posting this, thumbass!! Would probably have missed it if it weren't for this thread. Good news indeed, djrum is perfect autumn music for me. Been into his stuff for quite a few years now. Found myself wondering when something new was to come as his last release (Hard To Say / Tournesol, absolute killer btw) was in 2019. He's also an incredible DJ, his sets are insanely good, highly recommended, both in terms of selection and turntable skills.

Also, didn't know about the Ganzfeld remix for some reason.

Just heard a track of it on mu's stream, i am excited for it

New trackeroony out, cool shiz!

Hmmmmm this wound up having strong Pinch/Shackleton/Skull Disco vibes. That's not necessarily a bad thing but I guess I was subconsciously wanting "Portrait With Firewood Part 2" more than I realized. Only played through once so we'll see how the marinade goes. 

First listen to track Codex, awesome stuff

/me like!

/me don't

was not particularly blown away or memorable

Some of this sounds almost like techstep. Not sure if I'm sold on the flute.

flute is middling at best. unnecessary and annoying.

It's very nicely done - use of trad / 'ethnic' instruments is nice touch but still feel like i'd end up going back to the real thing almost immediately...that's no shade...just you know

Bummed to see the dissapointed reactions here but I echo the sentiment. The first track was the best, the rest was...meh?

Not knocking it at all. Meticulous stuff. Very talented. I prefer more raw edge though. Less designed. 

Hadn't heard of this Djrum. Gonna check that Firewood album first.