Two of techno’s most recognized names, Minneapolis’ Dustin Zahn and Stockholm’s Joel Mull, join forces for the next EP on Sweden’s Parabel label, Way of the Wild.
.The four-tracker is the result of countless years of friendship, and several solid months of work in the studio together. The EP begins with “Vesperum Winds,” a track carried forward by rolling drums and ominous notes, possibly inspired by the northern evening winds that engulf the Swedish landscape outside of Stockholm, where Mull still lives.
The second track on the A-side is the title track of the release. A heavier affair, it retains the EP’s hypnotic elements, filled by a sounding kick-drum and peppered by a series of sparse noises that eventually lead into a crescendo of  percussions that evoke scenes of pure wilderness, as if Mull and Zahn are taking us back in time to a more primitive existence.
The B-side starts off with “Morning Glade.” With a definitely slower build-up than either track on the A-side, “Morning Glade” Â is mesmerizing and entrancing, once again transporting us to nature as the two producers envision the welcome sighting of a clearing amidst a dense, northern forest. Pulsating sounds and trippy noises are the theme in the EP’s last track, Â “Lake Hawkins.” You wouldn’t be mistaken if you found yourself imagining eerie and supernatural scenes from hit Netflix show Stranger Things when listening to this one, I sure did.
All in all, Way of the Wild is a brilliant, deep and immersive collection that fuses each producerâs strongest qualities to a fantastic result. Hypnotic, enthralling and truly captivating, the EP is truly worthy of each producer’s name, as well as output on the highly-respected Parabel.
Way of the Wild by Joel Mull and Dustin Zahn is out on Parabel this coming March 13th, but is available for pre-order HERE.
Artwork by Alex Slagter.
Track Listing:
a1. Vesperum Winds
a2. Way of the wild
b1. Morning Glade
b2. Lake Hawkins
