Keepsakes – Blunt Clout Trauma [Héctor Oaks]

It has been a little over a year and a half between the last release of Keepsakes and the previous one, since April 2022, New Zealand producer James Barrett had not released new material with his solo project, although he did so this past summer of 2023 with his new project Cut 989, a duo that he forms with Henry Nicol and with a musical concept very different from his usual range of sound. Cut 989 mixes influences from styles such as post-punk, industrial, experimental and techno.

The recording activity of Keepsakes has been linked in recent years to his label Haven, however, on this occasion James Barrett releases his EP Blunt Clout Trauma on the label of Spanish producer Héctor Oaks.

Blunt Clout Trauma is a five-track that clearly shows the hard style that has always defined the music of Keepsakes, however, the usual form of forceful techno that he usually generates is nourished in some tracks by other less usual influences such as funk, although the artist himself knows very well how to take it to his own terrain.

Fast and vigorous techno, with unpredictable changes and an excellent combination of diverse sonic elements.

Release date: December 22nd, 2023.