Knopha ‎– Gym

Label: Regret Sound

Released: 2020

Country: China

Genre: Ambient/House/Techno

Since the release of Nothing Nil two years ago there's been nothing but silence from the Chinese DJ and producer Knopha. Since summer however there have been a string of sightings, on NTS, Rinse FM, and supporting DJ’s such as Laurel Halo and Hodge across China. This sudden spate of activity culminated in a release on Beijing based label Ran Groove called Gym. The record opens with something that is unrecognisable—surely this driving broken techno track can’t come from the same mind as Nothing Nil? The two title tracks ‘Gym Alfa’ and ‘Gym Beta’ are drum driven workouts with Afro-house resonances. The bonus cut ‘Stretch’ is more similar to Knopha’s earlier EP’s with shimmering ambient synths, if the first two tracks are set in the gym then this last track is surely set in the steam room.