KRANKk

You’d be forgiven for thinking KRANKk is from the UK. Their blend of Grimey bass lines, Burial- inspired atmospherics, and future garage beats sound like they’ve been brewed up in a London lock-off. Really, though, they’re from Antwerp - and they’ve added a mad twist in that they play their two-step rhythms with live instrumentation.

Keyboard player Aram Abgaryan, drummer Thomas Geysen and guitarist Willem Heylen study at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, where they found each other through their love for electronic music. The trio grew up with Jungle, DnB, Dubstep, and UK Garage. "The music just appealed to us. It was energizing, skippy and bouncy." Debut single "Like That" hypes you up instantly. Nervous clicks and fragmentary synth waves drive to a bouncy apotheosis. Guest rappers Miss Angel and Blu Samu (see also Zwangere Guy ) provide a fresh, melodic setting. Moody successor "Crazy" with David Ngyah (see also Blackwave.) made it to Ultratop in last year's Flemish hit parade. As students of the conservatory, the trio KRANKk is very much in touch with their instruments. Sounds - and the way they are produced - are very important. A simple push of a button to produce a digital sound is not enough. "Real" sounds and acoustic elements dominate their debut album ‘DARK’. Although that's no dogma; disembodied vocal snippets and cold synths create a futuristic atmosphere. Producing a strong live set is their priority, with songs that will stand strong in any circumstances. Live it's a cannonball on speed, it is infectiously exciting, danceable and super virtuoso.