Fouk first came to our attention with the 2015 Kill Frenzy EP on Detroit Swindle’s Heist label. It introduced their particular warm and chunky production aesthetic which generally features plenty of instrumentation and musicality and a fair bit of disco flavor too.

Their latest on Shall Not Fade is a five-track 4/4 affair, Paradise. It’s all quality underground Fouk-house ranging from “Next Summer” which is slick with a growling B-line and Parliament-esque synth wiggles to the rawer “Tough Love” which has that quality that loads of Fouk records have, of sounding as though it was recorded at a party. “Late Night Snack” is a high-fat disco-flecked banger with a slippery live bass and rattling bongos and “Drugged Out” drops layers of percussion over a simple robot disco bassline. It would be a useful tool in mixing the whole EP together for a half hour Fouk-a-thon.

But really, it’s all about the lead tune on this EP. A piano line that moves from single notes to chords, together with some really fresh live percussion and a perfectly executed, low-key breakdown. No sirens, snare rolls, white noise, explosions or three-word film samples, and it works wonderfully. Simple, soulful and strong.

Fouk: Paradise (Shall Not Fade / 12″ Vinyl / Digital)
1. Fouk: Paradise (06:14)
2. Fouk: Next Summer (06:12)
3. Fouk: Tough Love (06:44)
4. Fouk: Late Night Snack (05:24)
5. Fouk: Drugged Out (06:00)

⚪️ Disclosure Statement: This record was submitted as a promo.

#JACKED: This was originally published in 5 Mag Issue #196 featuring Demuir, Ralphi Rosario, London Vibes and more. Support 5 Mag by becoming a member for as little as $1 per issue and get every issue in your inbox right away!