AJ Christou Crafts Percussive-Driven Thumper “Brain Cells”

UK upstart talent AJ Christou knows his way around a beat, and it shows. With a drummer’s foundation, he’s become known for his rock-solid beats. Wrapping dancefloor-filling sounds around these hypnotic rhythms, Christou has put out releases on Robsoul, Cuttin’ Headz, Elrow, Material, and more—not to mention running his own label, Celesta Recordings, where he’s released a host of similarly dancefloor-minded artists. He’s about to drop a brand-new cache of sweat inducing tunes. This time, it’s an EP named Brain Cells, which arrives on Carlo Lio’s Rawthentic Music.

The title track is a prime example of Christou’s top-notch skills in dance magic. It’s tech house—emphasis on that second part—with a heavy UK lean. A firm foundation of pumping beats polishes off with the kind of bassline that will get stuck in a listener’s head long afterward. The true bow on the package comes in the form of whispered vocal samples that really solidify the personality of “Brain Cells.”

Christou hits this one hard with the drums. Using a simple set of sounds to great effect, he makes moments move and punch where it counts. Everything seems to land in a sweet spot, and sometimes all it takes is a well-timed hat or tom to push things to the next level. It just goes to show that a firm grasp of drum programming, matched with an ear for catchy sounds, can really make a track stand out. This one will keep the dancefloor going from start to finish.

Available April 26 via Rawthentic.

Buy AJ Christou’s Brain Cells EP here.

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