WINDMILL - Knockout ALBUM REVIEW

 

8.4/10

"Knockout" is a vibrant and danceable future funk album that's sure to start your year off right.

Happy new year, everyone. For today's review, we're taking a look at a brand-new release from the producer WINDMILL, titled "Knockout".

WINDMILL is a vaporwave/future funk producer who has been on the scene for a couple of years now - their most well-known release is probably "comfort cruise" which was released via the label holoJamz in November last year.

They've been staying productive since then, in fact it was only a couple of weeks ago that we first heard their album "Lagos" - which was a vaporwave album without samples.

This all brings us to 2021 where they've released their newest project - a sample-based future funk release called "Knockout". And this is a very good album - the songs here are ambitious, they're fun, and most importantly, the songs here are absolute party-starters.

Whether it be the glitchy, hard-hitting bassline on "FEEL THE GROOVE", or the hypnotic sample manipulation on "SHINE", this album always feels very well-made with a lot of attention to detail; without very many moments going against that.

There's something quite dreamy about a few of the songs here too, such as on the opening track: "BABY BE MINE". The synths on this song in particular, same with the subtle phaser in the mix are gorgeous - and they turn the track into something otherworldly - this is easily the most vivid and beautiful track here, and it's kind of hard to put it into words if I'm being perfectly honest.

There are some moments that harken back to the traditional future funk style by artists like MACROSS 82-99 - one of these moments being on the song "LFG", which I assume stands for "Let's Fucking Go" but I could be wrong. This song has a very strong focus on detailed and complex sample chops, and it goes down very well in the end.

I don't think this album is perfect though, and a couple of the songs here do leave a little to be desired, such as "TAINTED LOVE" and "YOU'RE INVITED". The latter in particular is probably my least favourite track here - I don't hate this track and I love the main synth here, but it's pretty messy, and the main sample feels quite tinny in the mix.

The album ends with the track "FIN" which works really well as an album closer. This song feels really joyous, but there's a bittersweet feeling to it as well. The horns on this track in particular are lovely, and it's definitely one of my favourites here.

I think "Knockout" is a great album - while there is some room for improvement, for the most part it's a fantastically ambitious and emotionally resonant future funk album and I strongly recommend it. It has lots of variety, and pretty much the entire thing is very well-made. A great way to start off the year, and a project I'll definitely find myself coming back to time and time again.

8.4/10

Fav Tracks: BABY BE MINE, SHINE, LFG, FEEL THE GROOVE, CANT STOP ME NOW, FIN

Least Fav Track: YOU'RE INVITED