Paul Kalkbrenner’s “Tatu-Tata” spawned one of the largest-sounding singles of last year. Instantly epic, “Gebrunn Gebrunn”’s anamorphic spread between low (insistent, gravity-accumulating bass) and high frequencies (ala wet-towl snaps) was its obvious secret. But insta-epics often spawn what I call the “Triple X” problem; that is, how do you get larger for the sequel when you’re already wearing a size XXXL. Kalkbrenner sidesteps the issue with “Keule” and creates the superficial inverse of “Gebrunn-Gebrunn.” The bass wobbles and rearranges knees at loud volumes while Kalkbrenner has fun adding delaying effects to every synth, hi-hat, and finger snap he can find in the mix. This “magic-mirror” percussion doesn’t let this up for either of the B-sides, although “Atzepeng” is accompanied by a stronger riff for a spine. This’ll do for now, but I’m still eagerly waiting for a sequel to “Triple X.”

BPitch Control / BPC 131
[Nate De Young]