What does Populous sound like?

A deep fusion of electronic beats and Nu Cumbia instrumentation.

The review of ‘Moonbatons’ by Populous

Originally released as two volumes back in 2022, ‘Moonbatons’ combines both two-track volumes into a single release. Populous has spent years producing music that encircles Latin American music and often takes it to the dance floor. For this release, Populous zooms in on reggaeton and moombahton dance tracks – merging Latin and African musical cultures into electronica. The focus here is the flow of the rhythm and bass and each track grooves like a mysterious beast.

‘Flauta Magica’ opens with soft arpeggios and flute samples that move from acoustic to aggressively filtered. The song becomes more bombastic with each bar as the kick drum thuds harder and the filter effects reflect louder off it. It sounds like the instruments themselves are transcending sound and the groove is sharp and wild. ‘Sapo’ follows with an ethereal glassy melody and tuned percussion that is juxtaposed with a sinister and flexible bassline. The reggaeton beat lets the dark and lighter sides of the music flirt with each other without crossing a line to fight – stirring up tension and foreboding instead. It’s a marvellous piece.

‘Glass Dupplate’ and ‘Berlinese Duplate’ are two sides of a coin, providing 10 minutes of big beats, deep sub basslines and drifting synth pads. ‘Glass Duplate’ is the more ethereal, soundscaped track. The airy pads drift over dry handclaps and rolling sticks as the gamelan-styled synth jams away an undercurrent melody. ‘Berlinese Dubplate’ instead focuses on becoming a percussive machine with dubbier low-slung bassline and hypnotic rhythmic motifs. I feel like these two tracks are a transition of dance music from 10pm through to 2am.

Whilst compact, ‘Moonbatons’ is a fantastic introduction to Populous and his style of Nu Cumbia music. Populous explores the mysticism of the zodiac through reggaeton and moombahton beats in a cohesive way, making the EP an easy straight-through experience. Put this on with the lights on low and a drink in your hand and you’ll be dancing in your element.

Recommended track: Sapo

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