Sydney-based producer Arky Waters has a very unique way of putting songs together. Every single we’ve heard from him this year and last year, has displayed just how well he’s able to infuse techno-heavy elements into bombastic soundscapes and now with his new EP “Johera”, we’re able to experience another side of his production skills in a tight collection of experimental tracks.
If there’s one thing you can always expect on an Arky Waters track, it’s texture and grit. Even though “Johera” delves into lighter, and more organic melodies, each song still has texture and movement, developing a beautiful juxtaposition of sound that Arky always excels at.
Kicking things off with a slower pace, ‘We Ain’t Like Dem’ opens with a hard beat, screeching samples, and echoing vocals before incredibly deep humming synths come in, adding a bit of grit to the initially smoky blend of sounds. When the vocal sample fully kicks in, the beat starts to hit a lot harder, marching through the production with purpose and determination. ‘We Ain’t Like Dem’ isn’t as bombastic as some of Arky’s other tracks, but it still has power and wields it so well with intentional percussion, crisp high hats, and warped samples slicing through the melody later in the track. ‘We Ain’t Like Dem’ may appear simple, but it’s actually quite intricate and strategic in the way that it charges forward.
‘Blessings’ is a bit more high energy compared to ‘We Ain’t Like Dem’. Straight off the bat sharp high hats and gritty synths slice puncture another echoing vocal track, setting us up for a more layered track that feels both dynamic and fully club ready. With trance-infused elements, a beat that won’t quit, and the most infectious hook, ‘Blessings’ throws it back to the 90’s, celebrating rave culture by blending fast-paced synths and punchy samples to produce a track that in all honesty, probably belongs on the Blade soundtrack.
The next track, ‘Roadkilla’, is where we start to move into the experimental end of things. With ‘Roadkilla’, we take things into more vibrant territory thanks to buzzing atmospherics and smooth piano tones hovering beneath chopped vocals and crisp percussion. The tempo of this. Track is slower, but not only because the curling synths need extra time to slither between the beat, digitised samples, and uplifting piano melody. ‘Roadkilla’ is like a soft trip, you’re just laying back watching the shapes form and enjoying the ride. Nothing feels forced and everything just flows with Arky’s signature textured production allowing digital accents to enhance the overall atmosphere of the track and make it incredibly alluring.
The first thing that catches your attention on the next track ‘Moth’, is the delicate strings that dance over pulsating tones. It’s so sweet and then, before you know it, you’ve fallen into a melodic world where upbeat percussion, spacious piano tones, and subtle atmospherics carry you into a very uplifting, almost ethereal headspace. Add deep synths, cracking samples, and cinematic wind samples into the mix, and ‘Moth’ begins to fill you with a power that’s slightly different from the power you can sense in ‘We Ain’t Like Dem’. On that track, the power felt heavy and grounding but on ‘Moth’, the power is light and with so many intricate samples and tones embedded in the production, the whole composition feels swift, inspiring, and controlled at the same time.
Finally, we close with the EP’s title-track ‘Johera’, which is really fun. With an infectious melody filling you with energy from the get-go, ‘Johera’ feels light and kind of freeing. The vocal samples dance above twinkling tones and slapping high hats, with deep piano notes tying every element together to produce an uplifting vibe. Then, just when you think you know what kind of vibe you’re in for on ‘Johera’, swooping guttural synths guide you back into the club atmosphere, and you’re left with an incredibly unique track that fills you with so much excitement. ‘Johera’ truly is the perfect example of how well Arky Waters is able to blend the rave culture that inspires him so much into brand new soundscapes. He isn’t afraid to bring traditionally club-heavy elements into brighter melodies to create his own totally original production style you won’t find anywhere else.
“Johera” is an exciting EP that really showcases the full spectrum of Arky Waters’ production process. By blending techno and trance-heavy sounds with lighter melodies, Arky has created a collection of tracks that prove just how fun experimenting with new sounds can be, and how energising great juxtaposition can feel when it’s utilised in the right way.
“Johera (EP)” is out now out now via Mammal Sounds Records