Live Review: Watuzi 'Gold'

Previously going under the name Veløur, elusive UK duo WATUZI like to keep to themselves. Having only released two tracks - one under each name - there isn't much at all known about them. What we do know is this: whatever the name, they make excellent downtempo electro perfect for grooving.

Funk infused, blissfully chilled tunes are the order of these two. From their first track, UND三RWATER, which came out a couple of months ago to unjustifiably low play counts, to their latest track Gold, it's clear these two are very gifted song-makers.

Impossibly groovy, laid back and cool, these guys make songs for sunny afternoons. Playing with loops of guitars, brisk, light percussion and breathy vocals, WATUZI make it all seem too easy with their effortless style.

Although UND三RWATER was slightly more playful and upbeat, Gold sees the duo take a step back and tone things down. Never letting up on the funk basslines or pulsating synth sounds, it's more of a late night jam to wind down the crowd that got amped up when listening to UND三RWATER. 

Starting off with a dull thud sound, the echoing synths come in over the gradually building percussion arrangements. Distorted, reverb laden and layered vocals enter, singing along quickly as the production because more and more involved with each layer. With singing not unlike TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS, layers and instruments are continually introduced, including glockenspiels to electric guitar licks before fading things out after some brief trumpet sounds.

Bright, exciting and still choosing to remain mysteriously anonymous, WATUZI are definitely ones to watch, although the only way you can watch out for them is on their SoundCloud. With two tracks like this, we can only hope they make more!

Words by Emma Jones.

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