retromigration: can't go
Francisco Espregueira
Amsterdam’s Retromigration has built a serious reputation on a foundation of dusty, jazz-inflected deep house, but his last few releases saw him flipping the script entirely. Marking the launch of KARAMÜRSELLİ, a fresh imprint under the Oath Creations banner, the producer delivers Can't Go, an EP that trades laid-back lounge vibes for the frantic energy of the rave. This is a hyper-kinetic pivot, drawing sharp lines between bass music, garage, and footwork. The title track leads the charge with heavy-set kicks and a euphoric vocal hook ("everywhere I turn") that feels tailor-made for sweaty, strobe-lit basements. It has been a bold evolution for him, proving he can command peak-time energy just as deftly as he handles the warm-up.
The rest of the package keeps the intensity high but varies the flavor. "No More" doubles down on the footwork influence, utilizing sharp percussion and powerful melodic touches to engross the floor. On remix duties, Siu Mata and Amor Satyr strip the title track back into a cavernous, hard-groove beast that places the vocals front and center. However, the record isn't without its soulful moments; the closer, "Distant," offers a beautiful comedown. Here, Retromigration returns to his melodic roots, layering tear-jerking chords over a spiritual sax solo that provides a sinuous, vibrant release after the rhythmic workout. It’s a landmark release that showcases a producer in a state of constant, exciting morphology. Available on vinyl.