Review: Junglelyd – ’Skyggedans’ (EP)

The first thing going through my head when hitting the play button on this EP was that I was getting some sort of Balkan vibe from the first beats of ’Kambo’. I was quite surprised about this… But then it quickly evolved into something much more interesting that I hadn’t come across before: Flutes are mixed in with jungle drums, electronic bass like synth sounds strike the underlying rhythm and this characteristic exotic feel from Middle Eastern, Nordic, African and Oriental parts of the world are thrown into this big basket of mixed jungle deliciousness.

This is the foundation of Junglelyd’s entire EP ’Skyggedans’ from March 10. If you haven’t been acquainted with Junglelyd before, it is about time with this EP. Meet Kenneth Rasmussen, Lasse Aagaard, Olaf Brinch, Asbjørn Helboe and Lasse Enøe in their take on Danish Cumbai. Their style is to mix a little bit of every exotic, acoustic instrument into a mash of electronic beats and nice danceable rhythms. Sometimes, you’ll get a saxophone thrown into the mix, other times it’ll be an electronic surf guitar and maybe some rhythmic vocals once in a while.

Going through the four tracks on ’Skyggedans’, I quickly realised that I have a favourite. And it’s ’Down The Rabbit Hole’ because it actually makes me want to break out into a jungle-dance session with a crowd of other Junglelyd lovers. It’s got that summer surf guitar vibe, Indian flutes, electronic beats and this nice carnivalesque saxophone as the cherry on top.

I tell you, this is an interesting EP for the experimenting music listeners, and you can actually feel the warm sun on your face and the sweat dripping from your forehead from dancing in the humid surroundings of palm trees in the Cuban jungle.

I guess that’s what I am now – a Jungleyd lover, as mentioned. Now I just can’t wait to see these guys live on stage. I believe this will be an out-of-control, very energetic and exotic experience. Join in for a sweaty dance at HQ on April 8th, right here in Aarhus.

Check out Junglelyd’s ‘Skyggedans’ – Here. You can experience Junglelyd live, with support from Merlyn Silva, at HeadQuarters on April 8 – Event here.