2014 has been a big year for talented producers under the age of 21. Danish born Dooqu, at just 17 years old, is one of the latest members of this Under 21 club and, from the looks of his first EP, he appears to be one of the most interesting.
His first EP, “Breathe,” which was released by indie label Heroic Recordings, is such a rich debut, which infuses so many well-picked elements of house music, that Dooqu comes off as less of a producer and more of an incredibly precise curator: choosing the rights bits and pieces for his latest exhibit. And this particular exhibit has all of the pop, the flair, and educated precision necessary to make it worth the price of admission.
The first cut, “Breathe It In,” at its core is fundamentally an indulgent piece of melodic house pop which borrows heavily from the breezier, yacht rockier side of house music that has become increasingly popular amongst dance blogs and music enthusiasts in the past year. But where this single differs is the direction of the melody: it does rely heavily on an airiness reminiscent of the slew of Ibiza-inspired house anthems we’ve heard this summer, but he mixes in doses of funk in the form of chic guitar licks, an uplifting vocal that is sensationally harmonic and soulful, and a finger snapping energy that is unreasonably addicting. This being the opening track of his EP is no mistake: “Breathe It In” actually is a breath of fresh air that gives you and idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
Track number two, “At the Crossroads,” is a fantastic bait and switch. Starting out as a smooth, sensitive number perfect for lounging by the pool and nursing a hangover, it soon careens into a chaotic piece of hip jive that spearheads right into a deep house sensibility thereby transitioning it into a Frankensteinian mash-up of epic proportions. By keeping the energy light, however, this specific track’s flavor is more in line with an indie dance aesthetic than the unadulterated deep house edit you’re led into believing it’s going to be. As a result, we’re left with a well-layered, complex production with fascinatingly swell builds and an edgy touch that engages with a more carefree – and subsequently – pure spirit.
The last track on his debut, “Falling Stars,” picks up with an easy going vitality and an animated tenacity that is dead set on leaving an impression. Simply put: it succeeds. It’s the proper climax that we deserve and operates on level where the sole intent is to provide a cleansing wave of catharsis. The backbone is an aria of sorts composed of floating horns, fluttering piano stabs, and an overall cheery atmosphere that acts like a constant; it’s always aiming incredibly high and takes you with it the same way wings took Icarus to the sun except, in this instance, there’s nothing horrific in the end. It’s all good vibes.
Dooqu’s “Breathe” is available now on iTunes and Beatport.
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