This special, sixth release on Neotropiq brings together four artists from the DJ collective that has grown from the booth of the label’s secretive and sought-out parties in South London. The “Treefrog Army EP” features solo tracks by the label’s founder, Silverlining, alongside Neotropiq residents, Trixie, Oliver Moon, and South London legend, Tom Gillieron.
What is Neotropiq? The neotropical realm is the bioregion that provides the lungs of the planet and is home to the highest concentration of biodiversity and unique species anywhere, many of which are endangered. The label’s emblem, the treefrog, celebrates individuality and nature whilst recognising the need to protect both. Therefore, Neotropiq can be defined as a multi-background, gender-balanced, and cross-generational collective of DJs, producers, and music lovers. Just as we might see a caravan of camels and a shoal of piranhas, the collective makes up the beautiful army of treefrogs that is Neotropiq.
The “Treefrog Army EP”, therefore, marks out distinguished yet complementary atmospheres that wander between several shades of electronic dance. As if each were telling their own distinct tale, this body of work flows like a late-night conversation between four good friends. With all tracks mixed or pre-mastered at Silverlining’s recently built North Wood Cabin Studio, this family excursion represents each artist’s individual sonic palette and groove while perfectly complementing the others.
Silverlining’s opening track, “Murine Illusions”, is a powerful, peak-time, West-Coast-inspired acid house workout cruising on an irresistible, rumbling bass arrangement and nostalgic vocal samples. Next up is Trixie, whose “Handshake” is a simmering and hypnotic encounter, with glitchy broken drums and whirring, otherworldly synths that animate another life around the body of the track.
On the B-side, Oliver Moon doesn’t hold back with the dynamite “What You Want” where icy TR-707 drums brush by as you find yourself caught in an elasticated groove that's full of surprises. Mysterious vocals by Moon himself are laced throughout, creating a sense of curiosity on the dance-floor. Last but not least are the chunky Motor City-infused vibrations of Tom Gillieron’s “Orange Clouds”. Subaqueous pads create a mesmerising dreamworld and combine with crisp drums for the hazy hours of the morning.
This four-tracker offers a breath of fresh, forest air from the Neotropiq crew who break genre conventions while sharing a love for warm aesthetics. Outside of production, the crew also shares a love for vinyl digging, and in the booth, they each deliver their own unique energy. The all-encompassing collective is not only united by music, but also use their unified voice to speak up about injustice and imbalances around the world.
