Music brings us together. Sometimes much closer than you can imagine. Right before we go over to our summer releases, our married music duo Maximalism seduces us with 4 originals, that support the rule of less being more. An EP that builds on minimalistic dance arrangements to not only let the vocals play out in full glory, but also show with how little you can create feelings, that immerse yourself in the sound itself. With a good sense for what is important, the couple is able to create an EP, that is able to go beyond its sound structure and win you over with pure emotion. An intimate release, that is further underlined with a powerful & cinematic remix from french talent Anton Dhouran.

With steady tension and an emotive piano lead, „Complete“ brings a rather hopeful atmosphere to the table, that tells a compelling story through not only Alicia’s vocals, but a harmony of melodies that create a relieving tone for the listener. Through a clean and minimalistic arrangement, the broad pads are able to really shine to the fullest and build a sheer endless room of sound.

A bouncy beat and pushy perccussions change up the theme for the track „Mishka“. Snappy hits with a generous use of delay and other FX help elevate this production to the dancefloor, while not stripping back on the previously introduced pads, that slowly start to rise in the shadow of an effective groove. Late vocals further develop the dynamic structure of this track, that explores the best elements of this EP and puts them in one compelling piece.

With a slower & more melancholic approach, „Glimpse“ is the perfect B-side for a living room experience. Gentle melodies circle around a warm bassline that support Alicia’s intimate vocals with a charming undertone. Opening up to the end, the atmospherics combine to a full & wide sound, that flip the switch for a positive final of a thoughtful production.

The duo finishes off the EP with an ambient and soothing final, that not only complements the B-side, but gives a nice response to Glimpse, with the very fitting title „Music Is The Answer“. Wavy elements and the slow and gentle build up of the track, make this one feel light and smooth. No big sound modulations or drops that would interfere with the calming atmosphere, this one is able to build up. Simply through adding and taking away elements of this production, the track keeps holding and releasing tension further dismantling the idea of FX-filled build ups and drops. The simple structure leaves a lot of room for interpretation, which will draw quite different stories in the individual mind of a listener.

With a hand for the cinematic sound, Anton Dhouran excerpts the broad strings of „Complete“ and builds a massive & coherent intro that leads into an organic re-vision with the work of a live guitar as well as drums from the man himself. The vocals are put in a different light and further develop a unique & different story to the original, while simultaniously honoring & intensifying every part of it.