pitto: baila baila

Pitto is not one to flood the scene with new music considering he's only released two EPs in the last three years. He takes the time to let ideas evolve and it's clearly noticeable on 2019's EP on Something Happening Somewhere sublabel Ooshaa, where his feel for an almost poppy hook is perfectly combined with his love for darker electronics. On the Baila Baila EP -- his return to Heist Recordings after his last EP in 2018 -- he explores this path further. The EP is filled with live percussion, a dark and rolling acid line, chopped beats, and catchy piano riffs. The three originals are accompanied by a remix courtesy of Pete Herbert that has "summer" written all over it. Opening track "Sammie" has a beautiful sense of melancholy to it, where an emotional piano riff is combined with some '80s tinged vocals and loads of live percussive elements for a smile inducing experience. "Discko" takes a darker approach with a deep and "dubby" low end and a guitar riff that wouldn't be out of place on a Caribou track. The horn section and synth lead give it a real crossover appeal and it's the kind of track you imagine working just as well on a summer festival as in a dark basement. On the flip, there's the title track "Baila", a proto inspired acid stomper with a nice wink to early '90s dance music vocals. An acid line gives the track its backbone, but it's the combination of Pitto's chords and instrumentation that give this track it's unique edge. The EP finishes off with Pete Herbert's remix of "Sammie". Pete's version has that full-on summer appeal with his recognizable style of modern day island disco. He adds a bit of drama to the track with some big breakdowns, changeovers in the piano riff and turns the Balearic vibe up a notch with an added dreamy solo.