Having exploded onto the scene just prior to the pandemic thanks to much sought-after record Us Together, Antwerp based producer Supreems readies his most personal and complete body of work to date. Exploring styles and aesthetics previously unattached to the hazy-house and melodic breakbeats traditionally known of the artist, Supreems connects the dots between new and old, delivered in his unmistakable cinematic style.
The success of Us Together and his subsequent body of work allowed the artist to play in Europe’s finest clubs, culminating in a four hour set at Panorama Bar just before the pandemic brought the industry to its knees. Stock continuing to rise, Supreems’ output has since been supported by Mixmag & Resident Advisor and has been picked up by Four Tet, DJ Boring, Ross From Friends, and Bicep. The latter naming him as one of their favourite up and coming artists in their interview with Mixmag and already teasing the crowd by playing two tracks of the album on their NTS residency.
The artist appears to seek personal connection through his sound, of which his debut album is a prime example. “The process of writing this album was incredibly healing for me.” The artist explains. “To have this experience make its way over to listeners is the best feeling in the world.“
Named after Mirabilis jalapa (meaning the marvel of Peru), the record’s genesis moment comes in the form of ‘Breathe’; a stirring cut of high-tempo, half-step breakbeat that’s as emotionally stirring as it is beautiful. A perfect curtain-raiser. ‘Amen 2 Trance’ pushes the tempo-slider downwards on a cut of atmospheric, euphoria-licked techno as the worlds of jungle and trance (two styles of music not typically associated with one another) shatter and break across a personal, heart-string tugging five minute journey.
The big-room, festival-feel stylings of ‘Hold On’ and ‘Steam’ stay close to the producer’s melancholic, transportive roots and provide a momentary glimpse into the wistful Supreems blueprint before the chugged-out tones of ‘Vibrations’ mark the beginning of the Belgian producers creative renaissance.
The album’s mid-point explores sounds not usually accustomed with the artist. ‘Rebirth’ is aptly titled, showcasing a percussive UK techno influence most notably heard on labels like Livity Sound and Nervous Horizon. ‘Vertigo’ follows suit, marrying that influence with Supreems trademark bliss on one of the album’s real high points – touching on North African & Middle-Eastern drums, twinkling melodies and ancient origins of the double reed Duduk – before ‘Jade’ follows in the footsteps of artists like Aleksandir, Tom VR and Otik with a percussive dreamscape sequence that feels like it could be scoring an expressive, artistic dance.
‘Lahla Boy’ enlists Off The Meds band member Kamohelo, “I first heard Kamo’s vocals during a Joy O set at Dekmantel in 2018 and was instantly hooked. His writing and singing style is some of the most unique I’ve ever heard and it was a privilege to work with him” the artist says.
The album’s climax comes in the form of title track ‘Nachtschone (Ode To Ellipsis)’ which makes use of a vocal sample of drum & bass duo Source Direct, most notably popularised by Joy Orbison and justified originally and stylistically by Supreems on the full length’s conclusion, placing it within a swirl of heaven-sent atmospherics that simultaneously look inward and outward, bringing our most sensitive memories to the forefront of our mind whilst pondering what is still unwritten.
