Makèz - Midnight Time EP [Heist]

Dutch duo Makèz deliver the perfect follow up to their hit ‘Downstream’ feat. LA artist Life on Planets.

Dutch duo Makèz had their big break when we released their first record on Heist back in 2019, but it’s safe to say that ‘Downstream’ (on No Art records) has taken things to the next level for the talented Amsterdam duo. With support from pretty much all of Radio 1 (Pete Tong, Jaguar, Sarah Story, Danny Howard and more), and club DJ’s from across the spectrum, from ANOTR to Louie Vega, their fall 2023 release has truly been a dream collaboration with vocalist & producer Life on Planets. It’s only appropriate that the duo return to Heist with their follow up EP: ‘Midnight time’.

This new EP is a perfect combination of the intricate, soulful songs and the catchy club tracks we’ve come to love from Makèz. On the A-side, we have the jazzy cut ‘Closer’ featuring AVA LAVÁ, who fans might remember from her Holy Sun EP on Heist. ‘Closer’ is equally laidback, full of textures and rich musical elements and a perfect mood setter for the EP.

Next up is ‘Running from the noise’ featuring Life on Planets on vocals. This is the follow up to Downstream that just had to happen. It’s as fresh and effortless as the duo’s biggest hit to date, but goes even deeper and more minimal, bringing you on a vibe that resembles the sound of that classic 2013 100% Galcher tape/album. There’s definitely something in the air when these artists get together in the studio; the music is warm, fuzzy and inviting, but most importantly, as sexy as it gets.

‘Midnight time’ is another collaboration with AVA LAVÁ, and it brings the EP into club realm, while keeping things equally jazzy. Lush rhodes chords and a rolling live bass form the foundation, while the young vocalist seems to freestyle her way through the track, in the same way an MC would to hype up the crowd. Everything about this track is infectious and you can just feel how it explodes in a club.

That club is exactly where we end up on the B-side, with ‘The Answer’ and ‘Gratitude’. Both of these take their own direction; ‘The Answer’ is a Chicago inspired jam with acidic riffs, a potent male vocal and clean 909 drums, while ‘Gratitude’ goes deeper with its haunting strings, clever vocal chops and loops and synths that somehow resemble the static noise of an old radio. With their ‘Midnight Time’ EP, Makèz gives us a beautiful journey through their sound world, a place we’re happy to spend a lot, lot of time.