Born in South Africa and now based in Hamilton, Kate Theresa AKA Monshi has been working hard at creating her own sound and style. Making her DJ'ing debut at Hamilton’s Smash the Rails Fest 2 earlier this year, she knew the time to get musically creative was now. Strange Love is the first to be released by Monshi on Rail Records and is positioned to be the first of many adventurous singles to come, courtesy of producer Xen and the DJ and vocalist herself.
The main vocal refrain kicks in nice and early, signalling that this tune is a vocal one. The normal dubstep rhythm is matched with synths that twinkle and blip in a cute, bopping melody. Build-ups are delivered nicely, and the bass-drops are sufficiently chunky, guaranteed to move crowds.
Special mention must go to the choice of Asiatic strings opening and closing the tune, because – think about it – when was the last time you heard a pipa on an electronic piece?
The production is tidy and bears very few fillers, making for a straight-forward dubstep piece, but does leave one craving a synth hook and vocal harmonies, or perhaps more layers mixed in. Then again, why mess around when you can keep it lean and cut to the chase?
In the broader spheres of electronic music and dubstep, this one is made in that classic radio-friendly style. For fun, deep bass kicks and mood-lifting sounds, be sure to give this a spin or two.