HOT DRUM
I have to give a major shout out to LA-based Joyryde. It’s been a good, god damn, long time since I’ve had the urge to dig around in my downstairs closet, nostalgically rummaging through piles of Tidy Trax records, over-sized Triple 5 Soul pants, and rave posters from the start of this millennium. Yet, in listening to “Hot Drum,” I simply can’t help myself. Consider it a done deal, as soon as I’m done writing this up.
This absolute monster of a track beckons back on a time where hard house reigned supreme, much like Bobby Flay in the Iron Kitchen. Yes, the BPM is at a much more digestible pace, at least in terms of today’s dance music, but the meticulous sampling, especially in reference to whirring sirens and reverberating lazery synths, bring everything back to a time where you had to call a phone number to find out where you were raving that night. That’s something most of you won’t get, but we’ll bet dollars to donuts Joyryde does.
For those of you who weren’t around back then, or of legal age to attend, a modern spin has been added with crafty bass house techniques that call on associations of industry darling, Jauz. Intertwined with those heavy bass hits is an impeccable use a wide variety of percussion, including a collection of steel drums that had me grinning ear-to-ear. Yet, as modern as it is, we’re consistently brought back to former legends of the game like DJ Keoki with impressive vocal sampling and sound effects.
Joyryde, if you’re reading this, you’ve officially brought on a flood of memories for this old timer. If you’re ever in Denver, you might just convince me to hit up some underground afterparties with you. My only stipulation is this – we have to pregame to “Hot Drum.”
