Minneapolis techno DJ/producer DVS1 (a.k.a. Zak Khutoretsky) continues his longstanding musical relationship with Ben Klock’s Klockworks imprint with a compelling three-tracker, Klockworks 13. It’s been on heavy rotation here at Big Shot’s HQ since last month for quite good reason.
Opening track “Black Russian” finds Khutoretsky swimming like an Olympian in housier waters. Based around a simple keyboard progression that harkens back to early Detroit/Chicago records, his minimal, less-is-more production ethos results in the best 6am song you’ll probably hear this year. “Creeping” slinks along in the same stripped-down direction, albeit with a techier vibe. The EP is rounded out by “Spying,” a tune that plays crisp hi-hats and a melody line off each other until they converge.
Klockworks 13 is a meditation on what’s possible when an artist has the freedom to elaborate on a single idea and realize its full potential.