JEPE - The Realm (2020)

Portuguese producer Jepe unleashes his debut album for Moodmusic with 8 songs going from atmospheric soothing ambient pieces to his trademark melodic exercises into electronic house and techno. The album starts with 'Dawn', a homage to the perpetually evolving Berlin nightlife and what surprises it brings to our lives. 'Illetas' breaks the calm with first signs of droning synth lines and melancholic themes, creating a mystical realm of the night as we know it. 'Come To Life' introduces his good friend Joao Neves on guitar, creating a delicate movement of time and space. 'Lost' shows the musicality of Jepe, with well knitted synthesiser work once again building a tense yet gloomy vision. The dusky 'Planicie' brings some clearness and hope to the equation, while picking up the pace with a slow-slung chugger, which is one of the best works of the Berlin based artist. Now turning a new page, the title-song 'The Realm' brings more ardour to the listener, perpetually building up to a crescendo before 'Whispering' cusps the album in a fine manner.