Label Love: Royal Oak
Royal Oak is a Rotterdam-based sub-label of Clone that focuses on straightforward club music with plenty of muscle. Since 2009, Royal Oak’s releases have shared a gritty and saturated sound that is anything but lo-fi. Here are our 10 favorite texture-heavy Royal Oak bangers:
Gerd - Freedom [2009]
Gerd’s deep and techy ode to ‘Freedom’ set the tone as the first release on Royal Oak back in 2009. Gerd would go on to release several more records with the label, all of which can hold down a dance floor.
Arttu, Jerry The Cat - Nuclear Funk [2011]
On “Nuclear Funk,” Arttu and Jerry The Cat use intricate rolling percussion and detuned pads to take you on an intergalactic safari. This is the spiritual, post-apocalyptic anthem we didn’t know we needed.
Randee Jean - You Got It [2013]
“You Got It” is a perfect tribute to the golden age of house music. Randee Jean checks all the boxes with soulful vocals, smooth keys, driving hand drums, brass hooks, and a flute solo. What else can you ask for?
Kink - Valentine’s Groove [2016]
“Valentine’s Groove” starts simple with a steady kick and a crazy fat bassline, while something sizzles in the background. Thick chords enter the mix with KiNK’s impeccable timing. The track continues to evolve while maintaining sonic perfection. The song is wildly impressive, even more so knowing KiNK likely whipped it up live.
Project Pablo (Patrick Holland) - No Rush [2016]
Prior to the “One For Some” EP, Patrick Holland had been known for smooth house tracks with laid-back funky melodies. Then came “No Rush,” a full-on wonky club banger. This might still be the most in-your-face tune the Montreal artist has released. We love it.
Keytronics - Travelling [2017]
Who would have thought the brilliant balearic house of Keytronics would return in 2017 after not putting out a record since 1992? What’s even more wild is that it’s maintained the incredibly high standard of quality of their original releases. “Travelling” is simply beautiful music, and we’re lucky to have it.
Mark Du Mosch - Adrift [2017]
“Adrift” will put you in a trance with its rugged beat, swirling pads, and pitch-bending lasers. Alien abduction never felt so good.
Look Like - Garden of Eden [2019]
Look Like’s “Garden of Eden” was another big balearic tune for Royal Oak, only this time with more acid. Squelchy bass lines and ominous strings pair surprisingly well with a melancholy piano hook on this one.
Masarima - Freak Like U [2020]
“Freak Like U” is so special it’s hard to describe. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Each element on its own feels like a cheesy throwback to the ‘80s, and Masarima is very aware of this. They introduce us to the bassline before taking it away, leaving us with a meandering string that makes you question what you’ve got yourself into. Once the keys are introduced, your faith starts to be restored. By the time the toms blast off, you realize it’s time to stop thinking and get lost in the euphoria. When the vocal hook finally hits, you’ve fully submitted to accepting that this track is absolute perfection. Now wait for the guitar. If it wasn’t for this track sharing a release date with COVID-19, it would have been the most rinsed track on the dancefloor in 2020. Pure genius.
Felipe Gordon - Can’t You See? [2022]
“Can’t You See?” is a beautiful and jazzy deep house track packed with so much detail that it’s mesmerizing. The way elements seamlessly slide in and out of this one is truly something to behold. This is a masterclass in mixing different elements. Check it out for yourself.
