Enter The Profound Sound Of “Lounge Zero”, The Latest Downtempo-Driven EP Of Bongomann

Melt into the realm of Lounge Zero (Credit: Photo provided by Bongomann, artwork by Izyanti Asa'ari)

You can’t be a patron of the music scene and not be familiar with this multi-dabbler. The beating drum of Bongomann’s imprint on the community has been resounding to say the least, with his myriad pursuits with Super Enjoy, Ice Cream Sundays, Offtrack and The Analog Vault. Bongomann’s also an accomplished producer, with catalogue offerings released on labels such as FuFu, Fauve Records, and Singapore’s own Darker Than Wax. Rather than fizzing out from being stretched so thin, Bongomann has veered inwards for his latest release, building a source of solace to keep his creativity grounded.

Lounge Zero is Bongomann’s third solo EP (Credit: Meltem Acik)

Lounge Zero is the destination of this exercise, a more introspective slice of Bongomann’s vast gamut of musical callings. It’s more temple than tempestuous, trading dancefloor-inclined assaults for measured moments of serenity. It’s a space forged with elements of downtempo, ambient, Balearic and chillout; a carving of transient paradise that intends to whisk you away. Once again, the six-track EP’s found a home in Darker Than Wax’s release library, and it’s a slot that’s well-earned given his stacked talent and credentials.

So what does Lounge Zero sound like? On opening track “Enter”, you’re greeted with a welcoming lull that pacifies and piques curiosity. Pieced together with hardware, you’re swept by a tide of washy synth pads and docile notes that tickle like audial acupuncture. The subsequent “Settle” loops you in with its rhythmic, percussive cycle of muted snares, scattered kicks and – naturally – tribal bongos. “Pause” is a microdose of mania, teasing with its fairly minimal anatomy that favours jittery tranquility over a blown-out release of tension. Bongomann saves this till the end with “Zoof”, a more dance-fuelled insertion with its disruptive breakbeats, stuttering accents and croaking basslines that marks a patient and well-timed resolution to the EP.

The doors of Lounge Zero are now open on Bandcamp and Spotify. Meanwhile, you can listen to Bongomann’s 15-Min Flash Mix.