Milkshake EP

Takovoi, Leng's most mysterious artist, returns with his third EP for the label showcasing the depth and variety of his hard-to-pigeonhole trademark style.

Born and raised in Russia but now based in Tbilisi, Georgia, Takovoi (real name Iraklii Tavartkildaze) has only released two EPs to date – both on Leng – with his latest four-track collection following 2019's well-received debut, 'The Fox With The Dog', and 2023's 'Perfect Match EP'. Both blurred boundaries, exploring a wide range of interconnected sounds and styles while remaining loosely rooted in nu-disco and sun-splashed Balearic soundscapes.

This subtle eclecticism is also evident on this latest EP. 'Milkshake', is an attractive but hard-to-define affair in which his own spoken word snippets, hissing drum machine cymbals, undulating bass, spacey synth chords and exotic saxophone solos combine to create a genuinely inspired electronic sound world.

In contrast, 'In An A' sees him enter the psychedelic realm via sparse, shuffling machine beats, sweet chords, whispers of guitars and waves of restless, mind-altering TB-303 motifs. By the time his vocalisations and low-slung bass guitar passages appear, you'll be locked into the acid lines and well on your way to a far-flung planet.

'No. 44' sees Takovoi lean further into his influences, peppering a staccato, off-kilter beat with warm chords, tumbling analogue lead lines, moody melodic motifs and the kind of lo-fi bleeps previously heard on Kraftwerk cuts and early bleep & bass club tracks. 'Chicken Soup' is heady and intoxicating, with glistening, effects-laden electric guitar textures and meandering, kosmiche-influenced synthesiser sounds ushering in eyes-closed vocalisations, lo-fi drum machine beats and sunset-ready chords.