Even before ishi vu gave titled his new EP Drömhus (Swedish for "dream house"), it was clear that he had a fascination with nighttime reveries. The Gothenburg-based producer born William Cohen is best known as a house producer—and his handful of 12"s and Bandcamp loosies have the cocktail-rattling kick drums to match. But his music has always been a bit more surreal and a bit more unsettling, utilizing synth melodies and effects processing that favor hazy disjunct and abstract logic.His new single "Is This Love" on Studio Barnhus doubles down on the somnambulance, stripping away the consistent percussion in favor of a locomotion even more woozy than usual. A kick drum beats in a slow motion approximation of footwork's abstract asymmetry. Synth pads billow threateningly, like Air France taking shelter from a distant storm. New elements briefly appear in the mix—a gentle keyboard line, a fluttering hi-hat—before evaporating back into the nothingness. All the while, a helium-riddled sample of the Bob Marley-penned track that gives this song its title echoes in the distance. The late Eazy E makes a spectral appearance. It doesn't make much sense, but its kinda peaceful if you just let it wash over you. Like any dream, it's best to just surrender to the flow. Don't be afraid, float downstream.Drömhus is out May 26 on Studio Barnhus, but you can listen to "Is This Love" below.
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