I have been wanting to have something exclusive and special from Oye! Simpson for a very long time. I am sure I am not alone when I say that his Cumbia is some of the best out there.
On his new EP “Corbeau,” Oye! Simpson keeps it raw with live instrumentation (all performed by him) but also incredibly tight production wise. The unique sound comes from the fact that he indeed play the instruments. This makes it an EP release where nothing previously heard will stand out, because nothing previously heard on other people’s songs is involved. That’s what playing your own instruments does, it really puts the artist’s own personal voice to the sound as well as more natural vibe. Though there are plenty of digital elements as well. The marriage of live instrumentation with the digital is beautiful here. It is a true man with machine in harmoniously performing music.
There have been some incredibly good Nu Cumbia releases this past year and this is among them. It can be argued fairly to be the best perhaps, though that is subjective of course. For me I can’t quite choose and therefore choose not to choose. Instead I just am thrilled to hear something great to come out right before the year is over. Music like this during the darkest month of the year, with just a couple of more weeks to go, honestly helps me to feel very positive. And that positivity is a true gift for me.
There are three songs on this EP. All very different. The second song titled “Deep Cobra DNB” is a splendid blend of Nu Cumbia and exciting DNB. It makes for an excellent over all sound. The first song “Mali Punk Rock” is just that, Cumbia Punk. It feels fresh and free of inhibition. The third and final song (yes I know I went out of order, and yes because I am insane) “Chimes,” rounds out this brilliant EP with a well produced, well performed, and well written melody. These three tracks are all unique in their own way but together make for one hell of an EP!
Get it today via Bandcamp but feel free to listen to the official TGBE Soundcloud.