Innervisions and Afterlife mainstay Denis Horvat returns to his Vokabularium imprint with ‘Unfold’, a meticulously crafted EP that unfurls like an intricate puzzle, revealing new depths with every listen. Teased through a steady rollout of singles, Horvat’s latest offering is a refined and immersive experience, balancing precision with emotional resonance in a way that has become his signature.
Opening with ‘Maca’, Horvat builds a labyrinthine soundscape where flickering synth fragments scurry in search of form, driven by a visceral, low-end pulse that cuts through the mix with surgical intent. As the track solidifies, a wistful melancholy seeps into its structure, with shadowy chords lingering just beyond reach. Then, in a moment of cybernetic rupture, it glitches as though the machine housing its soul has momentarily short-circuited as it sets the stage for the incoming exploration. A sublime introduction to a broader picture, the cut is a gorgeous exercise in contrasts as Horvat slowly turns a bizarrely captivating prism against the light.
Next, ‘Testamona’ introduces a fresh dynamic as Horvat partners with 15-year-old prodigy Lilli Ellen for a striking collaboration. From its first notes, Ellen’s ethereal vocals glide effortlessly over a pulsating beat, setting a narcotic, dreamlike tone. Iridescent arpeggios shimmer against glassy percussive textures while neon-drenched gated chords inject a glowing vitality. Now firing on all cylinders, the creative duo work their alchemy as ‘Testamona’ contorts in breathtaking shapes, stealing looks with every twist and turn for a showstopping centerpiece.
With ‘Dunvad’, Horvat shifts into darker, more enigmatic territory. Unsettling yet irresistible, the track unfurls over writhing synth textures before anchoring itself in a thick, propulsive bassline. Disorienting and restless, the track revels in its own unpredictability, breaking apart and reassembling as eerie harmonies sweep through the composition. A sonic outlier in the EP, yet unmistakably Horvat’s, it challenges conventions while keeping the listener firmly in its grip.
Closing the record, Horvat delivers a ‘Dub Edit’ of ‘Testamona’, stripping the track of Ellen’s vocals and allowing the instrumental to bask in its own luminescence. This minimalist revision presents it in a starker, club-ready form, sharpening its contours for DJs eager to wield its hypnotic energy in peak-time sets.
With ‘Unfold’, Horvat continues to refine his distinct musical language, merging technical prowess with evocative storytelling. Each track is a carefully placed piece in a larger mosaic, proving once again that Horvat’s vision extends beyond the confines of the dancefloor into something far more cinematic and immersive.
Denis Horvat’s ‘Unfold’ EP is out now via Vokabularium. Purchase your copy here.
