banke: totem

Banke delivers a profound debut for Token. The Totem EP's tempered sophistication and clear sense of purpose belies Banke's neophyte status. The tense introduction of "Simenon" is met with understated, yet unmistakable fragments of Detroit in the form of a hypnotic, high-end glissando, rolling drum work, and built-up tasteful stabs. The delicate trill of "Cheerlead" is mimicked and answered in a hypnotic call-and-response over a carefully measured low-end. "Totem" has a traditionalist opening that's purposeful and composed, Banke patiently building tension throughout. In "Strattera", the hyper-focused mid and off-beat brushing hi-hat opens out to become disorienting, multi-layered trip.