Artist: Matthias Vogt
Title: Frankfurt Sour EP
Label: Urbantorque Recordings
By: Rami Dahud | 4 February 2009
Tracklist:

• 1. Truffle
• 2. Frankfurt Sour

Matthias Vogt "Frankfurt Sour EP"

Matthias Vogt, one half of the noted and long-standing Motorcitysoul project, provides an additional contribution to his modest and occasional solo discography with his ‘Frankfurt Sour’ EP, released through Urban Torque. Just as his discography can be described as modest, so too can this EP, as both tracks oh here endeavor to take the listener through a light-footed stroll through some pleasing, relaxed landscapes.

Despite being a venture unto his own, Vogt nevertheless successfully integrates the lively jazziness of his Motorcitysoul influences with his own unique touches, and this amalgam is most apparent with 'Truffle.' Cool, calm and collected, the track subtly cruises through a narrow range of well complimented sparkling synth lines and piano sprinklings driven by a boyount bassline. With the exception of a couple of mildly accentuating pauses, there are no noteworthy highs or lows to be found here; just an evenly paced musical slide show from beginning to end.

'Frankfurt Sour' feels the more deliberately minded of the two, in addition to a greater emphasis placed on melody when compared to ‘Truffle’. Despite being as essentially laid back as its counterpart, ‘Frankfurt Sour’ also manages to be the more active and aggressive release on this EP. While structurally similar to ‘Truffle’, it too is without many significant points of development to take note of. Rather, ‘Frankfurt Sour’ quickly introduces us to a host of variously toned and vigorous synths that jump away at regular intervals amidst the background of a persisting, whaling melody. While mildly pleasant, it is also rather uneventful, with its lead melody feeling excessively drawn out.

On the note of pleasant listens, it can be said that such a description is appropriate for both these tracks, with ‘Truffle’ emerging as the finer of the two. With this EP, Vogt provides the equivalent of a casual, non-committal cruise through the countryside with some well placed landmarks securing the listener’s attention throughout the duration.