HOMAGE has been at the forefront of electronic music in Brooklyn since its inception in 2017. Originally starting as an event series, the party was a nod to their predecessors in New York, those who pioneered a thriving nightlife scene in dynamic and intimate locations. Jump six years and HOMAGE is on its own path, having released a diverse selection of records from Kettama to Aldonna. Now the label readies its twenty-first release with a relatively new name, Sydney-based producer Half Cut, who over the course of seven tracks explores euphoric house, coiling electro, and jacking acid; tied together by a remix from Panorama Bar regular & Potency Records boss Cromby.
Speaking on the EP, the labels co-founder Ryan Clover says:
Kain sent us a pack of demos before the pandemic and they were all fantastic. He’s one of a few artists that have sent us a cold email and gotten signed immediately. Kain is half Japanese/half Australian and is based in Sydney, and he’s started to cut his teeth in the local circuit. While he’s a relative newcomer to the scene, his tunes have already seen support from Craig Richards, Gene on Earth, Cromby, Youandewan, Perdu, ANOTR, and Who is Arcadia, and in 2022 he had his first song signed to a VA for Limousine Dream (Nug-Net), Gene on Earth’s highly regarded label.
Kain is influenced heavily by 90s house & techno, especially artists such as FSOM, Joey Beltram, Klubbheads, Tony De Vit etc, but he also draws a lot of inspiration from the new wave of artists such as Kettama & X-Coast, as well as pulling from more of the micro/tech house artists such as Gene on Earth, Youandewan & Klon Dump.
The EP starts with ‘Player’ an adventurous club tool that simultaneously feels both futuristic and old school – acidic leads meet with bubbling basslines in a kaleidoscope of colors, while the drums keep us moving through the dimly lit, smoke filled loft. Half Cut shows a different side on ‘Floor Five’ a certified dancefloor filler, that brings smiles, energy and the type of sweaty hugs only those who have fallen in love on a dancefloor will know.
On tracks like ‘Free’ & ‘Energy’ the young producer demonstrates his love for classic acid sounds while packaging them both in unique ways. The latter toes the line between prog, house and electro while ‘Free’ uses an acid lead as more of an accompanist to its evolving drums and their magnetic energy. ‘Noise’ was the last track to be completed on the EP and feels like a celebration of all Half Cuts’ influences. Drums are placed with sharp purpose, while hints of melody reflect off a growling bassline and noise instructing vocal sample. Cromby’s remix feels like a match made in sonic heaven, bringing his crunchy, textured style to the fore before the record closes with ‘Generate’ a peak-time slammer that grabs your attention and refuses to let go.
