Five years have passed since Rework's last release but this new EP for Parisian label Meant sees them pick up more or less where they left off. They are probably best remembered for their releases through Playhouse that straddled the divide between electro-cool and techno exemplified on 2007's 'Love Love Love Yeah'.
Rework's return is slinky and effortlessly cool. Like a high class sordid Euro techno road trip on spring break, this is an EP with its sights set of the dark arts of seduction - warm, analogue bass and clipped drum patterns create an intensely close experience.
The EP's title track starts with a slow build that takes more than half the track's duration to reach a climatic acid crescendo and it is from here that the track proper begins. A mélange of Electroclash style unaffected vocals and a bassline with a swagger 'Werewolf' oozes cool. An impressive feat after five years off. Magda turns in a remix that may not quite have the same punch but creates a sharp edge with a throbbing bassline strumming away in the background and plenty of reverb.
'Touch Yourself' retains the chic European vibe but whilst the looping vocals echo around your head it is the electro inspired bassline that proves irresistible, providing the foundation to a series of shuffling layers of beat foreplay. The Remain remix feels like a much loser, dub-influenced take - crisp hand clap and fuzzy chords provide a sharp contrast to that bassline. It's a druggy trip and the headstrong intensity marks it out as a highlight on this release.
The digital release also comes backed with bonus track 'That I Like'. In comparison to the two main tracks that make up the release it is a less glamorous and ultimately less exciting offering, a mishmash of vocal cuts and looped beats. That slight unnecessary misstep to one side The Werewolf is hard to resist.
The Werewolf EP is released on 10th September on 12" and MP3, both through Meant. You can pre-order the digital release on Amazon here [affiliate link].
