APPAREL REVIEW:

Goshawk
Loyalty EP
[Lumberjacks In Hell]

 

We’ve always had a soft spot for those records that manage to hit you while making you move your feet at the same time. And this one "Loyalty" by Goshawk, out on Lumberjacks In Hell, does exactly that. Four tracks, each with its own spirit, but all wrapped in this soulful, disco-drenched and funky vibe that just won’t quit.

Let’s break it down. The A-side opens with "Loyalty feat. LYMA”. There’s this kind of thick, syrupy vibe that just oozes from the low-slung funky bassline. It’s sultry, warm and LYMA’s vocals? Gold. He’s got a subtle edge to his voice that makes you lean in, almost like you’re eavesdropping on something intimate. Then we move to "Ain’t Gonna", with the presence of the powerhouse that is Greg Blackman and, I’ve got to say, this track got me quite hooked. Greg’s voice is just something else—raw, soulful, and packed with this kind of effortless authority. It’s like he’s preaching, but instead of a sermon it’s over this groovy, piano-driven jam that has you swaying right off the bat. The chopped keys creates a dancefloor bounce while Greg’s voice soars above it all. It’s playful but with a weight to it. It’s got everything to be a House anthem of this present time but we’ll see how the listeners react to this track which, by the way, have already been released as the single of the whole record. Flip to the B-side, and things get hot with "1 Up 1 Down". LYMA’s back with an even groovier vibe, making it probably the easiest for DJs to spin. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best one to play in a club — we love tracks and sets with weird variations — but it’s likely the one that hits with the most instant simplicity for anyone hearing the record for the first time. There’s nothing easy here though, it’s just a masterly crafted tune. There’s this cheeky groove that almost feels like a wink—like the track’s saying, "Yeah, I know I’m smooth”. It’s one of those cuts that would kill it on a bright outdoor dancefloor. You’ve got this effortless cool, this funk swagger that’s impossible to resist. LYMA here nails it again, bringing that same sultriness but turning it up a notch. To close it all out we’ve got the LYMA remix of "1 Up 1 Down”. This one’s more stripped back, in a way that makes you focus on the details. It’s funk, sure, but it’s almost like it’s been taken apart and put back together in a new way, just to see how far it can go. It shines with such clarity both in its sound and the overall vibe. It’s deep yet so crisp, sharp and bright at the same time, the perfect way to wrap up the EP. If there’s one thing Goshawk’s managed to do here, it’s create a cohesive vibe while letting each track have its own personality. The whole EP is steeped in that boogie and disco influence, but it never feels derivative. Instead, it’s fresh, playful, and soulful. Lumberjacks In Hell knew what they were doing with this one and for Goshawk’s debut on the label? Let’s just hope it’s not his last.

Release date 23th of October 2024

APPAREL REVIEW:

Goshawk
Loyalty EP
[Lumberjacks In Hell]

 

We’ve always had a soft spot for those records that manage to hit you while making you move your feet at the same time. And this one "Loyalty" by Goshawk, out on Lumberjacks In Hell, does exactly that. Four tracks, each with its own spirit, but all wrapped in this soulful, disco-drenched and funky vibe that just won’t quit.

Let’s break it down. The A-side opens with "Loyalty feat. LYMA”. There’s this kind of thick, syrupy vibe that just oozes from the low-slung funky bassline. It’s sultry, warm and LYMA’s vocals? Gold. He’s got a subtle edge to his voice that makes you lean in, almost like you’re eavesdropping on something intimate. Then we move to "Ain’t Gonna", with the presence of the powerhouse that is Greg Blackman and, I’ve got to say, this track got me quite hooked. Greg’s voice is just something else—raw, soulful, and packed with this kind of effortless authority. It’s like he’s preaching, but instead of a sermon it’s over this groovy, piano-driven jam that has you swaying right off the bat. The chopped keys creates a dancefloor bounce while Greg’s voice soars above it all. It’s playful but with a weight to it. It’s got everything to be a House anthem of this present time but we’ll see how the listeners react to this track which, by the way, have already been released as the single of the whole record. Flip to the B-side, and things get hot with "1 Up 1 Down". LYMA’s back with an even groovier vibe, making it probably the easiest for DJs to spin. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best one to play in a club — we love tracks and sets with weird variations — but it’s likely the one that hits with the most instant simplicity for anyone hearing the record for the first time. There’s nothing easy here though, it’s just a masterly crafted tune. There’s this cheeky groove that almost feels like a wink—like the track’s saying, "Yeah, I know I’m smooth”. It’s one of those cuts that would kill it on a bright outdoor dancefloor. You’ve got this effortless cool, this funk swagger that’s impossible to resist. LYMA here nails it again, bringing that same sultriness but turning it up a notch. To close it all out we’ve got the LYMA remix of "1 Up 1 Down”. This one’s more stripped back, in a way that makes you focus on the details. It’s funk, sure, but it’s almost like it’s been taken apart and put back together in a new way, just to see how far it can go. It shines with such clarity both in its sound and the overall vibe. It’s deep yet so crisp, sharp and bright at the same time, the perfect way to wrap up the EP. If there’s one thing Goshawk’s managed to do here, it’s create a cohesive vibe while letting each track have its own personality. The whole EP is steeped in that boogie and disco influence, but it never feels derivative. Instead, it’s fresh, playful, and soulful. Lumberjacks In Hell knew what they were doing with this one and for Goshawk’s debut on the label? Let’s just hope it’s not his last.

Release date 23th of October 2024