Review: Tel Aviv EP by Room 99 – A Techno Journey That Stays With You
Released in 2017 under the Italian label Natura Viva Black, Room 99’s Tel Aviv EP is a sleek dive into electronic music with a razor-sharp techno edge. Hailing from Italy, Room 99 delivers an EP that feels both intimate and expansive, offering two tracks—“Sitar” and “Tel Aviv”—that linger in your mind long after the last beat fades.
Let’s talk about “Sitar” first. It’s not often you hear a techno track that so confidently blends traditional instrumentation with pulsating rhythms. The titular sitar melody isn’t just thrown in for kicks; it weaves through the track like a thread, giving it a hypnotic, almost meditative quality. There’s something raw about how the bassline locks into the percussion—it’s tight but not overproduced, leaving room for imperfections that feel oddly human. This track sticks with you because it doesn’t try too hard to impress. Instead, it invites you to sink into its groove and stay awhile.
Then there’s “Tel Aviv,” the namesake of the EP. If “Sitar” is introspective, this one is kinetic—a relentless drive forward powered by sharp hi-hats and a bassline that feels like it’s been injected with adrenaline. Midway through, the track introduces a subtle synth layer that adds depth without cluttering the mix. What makes “Tel Aviv” memorable is its ability to balance chaos and control. Just when you think it might spiral out, it reels itself back in, keeping you hooked.
Room 99 has crafted something special here—an EP that doesn’t scream for attention but quietly demands it. The production is clean yet textured, letting each element breathe while maintaining cohesion. Coming from Italy, a country more known for its lush landscapes than its techno scene, Room 99 proves that innovation can come from anywhere.
What strikes me most about Tel Aviv EP is how unassuming it feels, as if Room 99 didn’t set out to create a masterpiece but stumbled upon one anyway. Listening to it feels like finding a hidden gem in a thrift store—unexpected but deeply satisfying.
And honestly? I didn’t expect to write this much about two tracks. But here we are. Guess that’s what happens when music speaks louder than words.
