Just Movement rounds out their 2023 schedule by welcoming Around Us to the label for their debut EP. Based in Amsterdam, Around Us first emerged in 2018, quickly establishing themselves as a rising act with releases via Balkan Connection's BC2, LuPS Records and Magnitude Recordings. World class DJ and progressive music tastemaker Hernan Cattaneo was the first to chime in with support, showcasing one of the duo's early productions 'Sleeping Blue' as part of his hugely popular Resident podcast. Fast forward five years and Around Us is now well established in the progressive house underground, with an impressive resume highlighted by appearances on 3rd Avenue, Clubsonica, Mango Alley and Movement Limited. Now, in a year which has seen the duo release their critically acclaimed debut album for Paul Hazendonk's Manual Music, Around Us debuts on Just Movement with 'Definition / Green Motion’ after joining Movement Bookings earlier this year as well.
Much lauded for their melodic sound, Around Us continues to explore that narrative on lead track ’Definition'. Wrapped within a smooth DJ friendly intro are punchy beats, pulsating basslines and a retro-rhythm section. The Dutch duo's storyboarding takes hold as charming melodies, vocal-like stabs and and a myriad of orbiting effects emerge across the first act, carrying with them a sense of anticipation and emotion. The main break showcases the duo's penchant for evocative musicality, as fragmented melodies continue to percolate amidst atmospheric swells and buzzing tones, eventually giving way to a groovy drop and uplifting finale.
The companion piece 'Green Motion' continues the progressive tone set by its predecessor and lands with a vibrant groove-centric mentality. Possessing a mesmerizing undercurrent, Around Us blends entrancing percussion and meandering melodic concepts over liquid-like grooves and sparkling effects, creating a mature no frills arrangement leading into the second act. Its transcendent appeal builds across a dreamy break, one where clustered motifs eventually give way to a sparkling lead theme and tastefully euphoric finale.
