Belp - Crocodile (2019)

As a first listen it was 2 am, 46° in a village Portugal, in a Convent, after a good night out. That mo- ment stroke me from being magic, the energy was perfect, we were laughing and relaxing amongst friends.

That listen was pushing the magic further because of the surprises it has all along the journey. A first groaning A simple rhythm Soft realms Noisy Round sounds Type machine sounds, of a sampled hi hat that never reveals, cut cut cut cut. Just because it’s fun to not reveal it. And put that fist cut part of the upcoming timber that is not ‘yet’ one. It’s like if the drum pack was used the wrong way, which is a great way. Flipping. (=to flip something)

Belp has this ability to bring the most horrible samples in front, and turn over your mind to enjoy what first sounds like “horrible”. Facade. “Crocodile” is flipping it over. Rhythmically vibrating, ears are wide open, full attention. I’m into the non-repetition.

Track “Crocodile”s call reminds me of the call in “Klabb” by Deena Abdelwahed as well as within its playful change of tempo, of notes. Who cares? The album is like a randomly composed pack. It is not random. It’s flipping something, and I like that disturbance, it's what I want to hear.

It is alive, through composition, arrangements, falsely randomised, non-arranged, it is a trick; it is the drunk clown playing “endless preparations for a ceremony” and “catch”. Not bothering about any- thing reveals a deep understanding of music and of arts, a crafted album in details.

It is years of listening, it is years of challenging ones ears, and putting it all together in this piece. It feels like the producer enjoys disturbing his own ears as much as other ppl’s ears. Playful, Ener- gising, Demands attention, Challenging your ears somewhere where nothing is constant, lively.

But overall let’s not forget the real stuff, the bass and soulful part. The round groove is still there. Each track transmits Belp’s open mindness to all type of music, whatever makes sense. It just all makes sense, it’s a strong critic, it’s a joke, it’s emotion, it’s playful, it’s fucked up. All musical 'styles' are touched. Maybe it is a compilation? It is about rethinking "music", And not giving a fuck, Al- though with still having an incredibly musical ear to all of it.

Just listen, this might be one of your best lessons to stop giving a fuck about everything you do.