Warnings have a peculiar way of attracting exactly the right people. And when Horsemen come with a parental advisory, you can be sure that whatever follows is probably best enjoyed somewhere beneath the surface.
For Deep Steppe‘s first solo-artist EP, Adam Rose welcomes the Berlin-Amsterdam connection of ICTV and MOR.LOV, better known as Horsemen. Following their outstanding “SLABS 003”, Chris and Morrison continue to explore the deeper, darker corners of House music with “Parental Advisory“, a four-track affair that feels perfectly at home within the label’s underground aesthetic.
Tucked away on the A2, “Baby Freak” wastes little time making its intentions clear. Stripped-back drums establish a rolling, hypnotic groove, while the occasional “yeah baby” and “freak” vocal snippets slip in and out of the shadows with a deliciously cheeky attitude. There’s something wonderfully restrained about the whole arrangement. Nothing feels excessive, yet everything keeps moving. A deep, almost unexpectedly sweet synth line occasionally cuts through the darkness, adding a subtle warmth to the track’s otherwise murky atmosphere.
It’s that contrast that makes “Baby Freak” particularly appealing. Dark without becoming oppressive, playful without losing its edge, and relentlessly groovey without ever demanding too much attention. The rhythm keeps pushing, the bass keeps pulsating, and those little vocal interventions provide just enough mischief to keep things interesting.
Horsemen know that sometimes the most effective dancefloor weapons are the ones that reveal themselves gradually. “Baby Freak” is exactly that kind of record: understated, seductive, and built for those late hours when the right groove is worth more than a thousand unnecessary tricks.
Definitely one for the underground heads. And another reminder that some warnings are better treated as invitations.
Words by Holger Breuer
