Precision in Motion: The Vision of Covil Dos Abutres
On the cover of Dextro’s new EP Covil Dos Abutres, the Mutual Rytm logo glows like a neon omen against black—a fitting herald for an album that dares to take a stand. This EP is a statement of intent from a stalwart of the early ’90s rave scene. Having honed his craft through key residencies and landmark releases on CLR and Missile Records, Dextro channels decades of intuitive production into this debut on SHDW’s Mutual Rytm. Dropped on April 4, 2025, the five‑track vinyl (and eight‑cut digital) EP revives the art of album cohesion in a scene drowning in standalone singles. From its opening seconds, it’s clear this isn’t background music; it demands full attention.
Instead of succumbing to the trend of disjointed, bite‑sized productions, this release demands to be experienced in its entirety. From the brooding opener that sets the thematic foundation to the meticulously layered compositions that follow, Covil Dos Abutres asserts itself as a singular work of technical and artistic rigor.
The title composition strikes with surgical precision: a kick drum engineered for maximum punch, its transient sculpted through aggressive EQ cuts, while the sub‑bass sits perfectly locked in via sidechain compression. Sparse bleeps and sci‑fi inflections—hinted at in the press notes as “deep space transmissions”—are deployed with restraint, accentuating the low‑end power rather than competing with it. This approach elevates the track beyond mere club filler into something you dissect as much as you dance to.
On Correct Incorrect, Dextro tightens the midrange with multiband compression, letting rubbery tom hits and deft arpeggiated motifs breathe above the groove. It’s a masterclass in balance: melodic fragments float without ever diluting the driving force.
Vida E Morte flips the script, injecting funk‑laden kick patterns into a minimal framework—each off‑beat hit feels calculated to provoke movement, a nod to warehouse‑style spontaneity.
The B‑side opener Element One pares back percussion to essentials, pairing crisp rimshots with warm pad washes that swell only where they matter. It’s proof that economy of elements can yield maximum impact. Beautiful Day closes the vinyl with sonar‑style pulses riding atop a skeletal rhythm, a testament to Dextro’s belief that less truly can be more.
Digital exclusives “Time Line,” “Savana Urbana,” and “Diferenças” push this ethos further, each built around a central riff treated with resonant filters and timed delays. They serve as bonus studies in restraint, rewarding repeat listens with subtle shifts in texture.
In Unmixed’s view, Covil Dos Abutres stands out precisely because it refuses to conform to the throwaway mentality of modern releases. Mutual Rytm’s backing of this project underscores the label’s commitment to productions that prioritize technical rigor and artistic vision. For anyone craving a full‑length experience engineered with both expertise and edge, Dextro delivers in spades.
Unmixed editorial. Words by Nina Malik
Mutual Rytm
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