Call it what you will — dance, electronica, trance, EDM, or techno — but never dare call it boring. WHIPPED CREAM’S danceable beats always get the crowd moving. While not yet the go-to name as America’s favorite DJ, the artist’s persistence and creativity are at least as notable as DJ Khaled and David Guetta.
With many artists in the genre taking extended amounts of time to get to the delicious, pounding bass prevalent in most of their hits, WHIPPED CREAM prefers to get straight to the point. After all, nobody comes to this musical style for in-depth lyrics. Case in point, ‘Careline‘, is roughly a 16-minute EP that opens and closes in a blink of an eye.
Starting with the previously released single, “Intro Call,” the artist gives us the best damn hold music anyone can imagine. Here the listeners receive a somewhat humorous recorded message that feels slightly threatening when the line “your next” is delivered.
Normally an intro track like this feels disposable. Typically, this would be something a rock band would walk on stage to build up hype for the live performance. Fortunately given the style of music, this simple but effective song could be placed within numerous parts of a live set without feeling wholly repetitive.
The artist launches immediately after into “GOD IS A GENTLEMAN.” With higher-pitched vocals and a sped-up feel, this song was made to be blasted from 10-foot speakers in a smokey atmospheric club — sobriety optional.
Philosophically speaking, the statement “God is a gentleman” can’t be far from the truth. After all, God is the definer of all things good, so really, how could He not be a gentleman?
It is unclear if the other lyrics within the song are in another language or just musical mumbo jumbo, but ultimately that doesn’t take away from the infectious vibe. Involuntary leg and arm movement are to be expected.
The third track, “You Dream of Me, Right?” is wordier than the previous songs, but that only makes it all the more memorable. If there is a radio single present on this EP, look no further.
Here we listen to a woman vying for attention from their lover. She hopes and prays that her significant other imagines them even in their sleep.
True love should be all-consuming, affecting the conscious and unconscious mind. Where is the relationship headed if your mind doesn’t turn to your lover during its most unoccupied time?
Showing the slightest restraint, Whipped Cream takes nearly a minute before hitting the chest-pounding beats on “Love The Night Away.” With a funky keyboard entrance straight from the 80s, the anticipation is almost unbearable. The familiar thud feels far beyond pleasurable when it finally arrives.
The listener’s heart syncs with the bass, meeting peak arousal around the 2-minute mark. Finally, the keyboards marry the beat slightly before the finish line, completing the track with near perfection. While no relationship is flawless, salt and pepper lay on the table envious.
“Techno Is My Only Love” comes in like a supermodel on the catwalk, beginning with a bit of stealth but debuting full confidence before making it halfway through its run. Oddly enough, the one line repeatedly in the song says, “techno is my only drug,” instead of what the title suggests.
As somewhat of an artist myself, it rings true that a person’s medium can become a source of addiction. The endorphin and dopamine rush that sometimes accompanies creation is liable to become habit-forming. Add in the endorsements of your peers, and it is quite possible to become a slave to your art.
There are positive and negative attributes to this relationship, forming a fine line between love and hate. Henceforth the saying, “I love it so much I want it to die.”
Techno is my only drug.
MEMBA joins the final track, “Redline,” making themselves the only guest star on the EP. If the intent is to give us vibes from the 1996 era of The Prodigy, then mission accomplished.
Some may read this as an insult, but it is far from a slam to any of the artists involved. The 90s were more known for grunge and rock hits, but not much in the way of EDM until The Prodigy demanded attention — and that is exactly what this track evokes. An aggressive slap in the face forces the listener to move their body like a reflex.
‘Careline’ probably won’t become EP of the year, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth throwing on during a marathon gaming session or a quick workout before starting your 9-5. While the tracks stand perfectly fine alone, they also flow well with each other making a satisfying EP from start to finish.
The raver can throw this up instead of a playlist and won’t be called out for a party foul. Not many artists can brag to that extent, but WHIPPED CREAM boasts the talent to make something feel familiar yet different at the same time.
What is your favorite tack on ‘Careline?’ Let us know in the comments below!
Listen to ‘Careline.’
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Charles E. Henning
Self-proclaimed "entertainment guru" Charles E Henning fills his free time reading books, watching movies, and listening to music. While not always up on the latest trends, he is consistently willing to dissect the themes of pop culture.
