Weltschmerz by Charlotte de Witte

Belgium's 'Raving George' dispenses of her alias on her debut ep for Turbo Recordings as Charlotte de Witte.

The 23 year-old Studio Brussel resident DJ has quickly made a name for herself following EPs on Bad Life and a massively successful collaboration with Oscar & The Wolf (which actually sold 15k copies in Belgium alone). Shedding her alias here, Charlotte shows she's ready for prime-time with this expertly crafted EP of big-room techno.

Lead track 'Weltschmerz' sounds like an instant Berghain classic; dark, massive, trippy, and with an emotional character all too rare within the genre. The kicks are banging, the verbed out percussion is fierce, and it all moves around a haunting melodic breakdown that artfully dances on the right side of 'progressive'. It's a killer track that perfectly sets the tone for the whole record.

'Damage Control' is a straightforward flex-a-thon, a housier rhythm that struts along confidently. The technical term is 'floor-filler'. 'Lonesome' brings the emotion back, with it's super-tense, unresolved melodies, this is perfect for all your mega-club yearning & gurning needs. 'Relatives of None' is the nastiest of the bunch, and probably the most at home on Turbo, built around a screechy synth hook. Finally, 'Weltschmerz (Melodic Theme)' provides an epic ambient outro, crystallizing the emotional tones of the EP and establishing a sense of artistic vision that ascends well beyond the pedestrian.

Transcending boundaries with her unique artistry, the DJ, producer and label head has cemented herself as one of the music industry's most in-demand names. Charlotte de Witte's signature sonic approach masterfully blends genres with a visceral energy that commands attention, the ardent catalyst in her meteoric rise from Belgium’s underground to global phenomenon status.