With his latest four-track release, ‘Wild Nights,’ Berlin’s JKS distills the primal energy of the club into a sonic ritual—pulsing with tribal undertones, hypnotic grooves, and a raw sensuality. This EP is a statement of intent, seamlessly fusing vintage rave aesthetics with a contemporary edge. After a six-year hiatus, he makes a triumphant solo return to Molekül, reigniting his connection with the iconic French imprint.
Genuinely wild, JKS’ new EP starts things off with the relentless standout ‘The Cult’. With raw energy coursing through its veins, this old-school-inspired behemoth boasts a meandering bassline that drives across a myriad of enthralling effects and hollow stabs while skitterish hi-hats cut through the grit of it all with enviable ease. As it gathers tension, it grows in complexity, constructing itself over meticulous engineering and striking arrangements, as it feeds itself like the underground’s darkest ouroboros.
On the second turn, the Berlin-based artist presents us with the resounding ‘Charm’. Fuelled by the rich percussive tapestry, JKS deploys a menagerie of cavernous effects and effervescent embers that imbue the piece with a highly realistic sense of depth while eerie mangled sonics interlock with ferocious vocal chops for a compelling take. Come breakdown, the producer ups the ante as he lets the energy dissipate before summoning his gnarly construct one against for one last joyride.
Coming in on the third spot is the narcotic ‘Jungle Curse’. As the name suggests, on this third cut, JKS goes feral in his own way. A highly detailed percussive line provides a perfect frame for a jet-black low-end to do its thing and ravage across the land while dubbed-out stabs linger in the wake of its relentless rush. Compellingly seductive, the track is an irresistible hybrid that exists in the most hedonist of spaces.
Fittingly, for the EP, curtain call comes with the titular ‘Wild Nights’. Finding JKS in irrepressible form, the record’s final cut pounds away as it carves its path across succulent vocal apparitions and thunderous reverb-drenched claps. With momentum going, our talented producer unleashes a full-blown percussive ensemble to drive the cut into headier territory. A pulsating beast, it twists and turns with disregard as it draws fascinating figures in the dark of the night for a banging finale to this exciting return.
JKS’ new ‘Wild Nights’ EP is out via Molekül. Grab your copy here.
