The first, and rumoured to be the last, LP to come out of Freakout Cult sees Fett Burger team up Stiletti Ana for a punchy, psychadelic House workout. Freakout Cult, the lovechild of Fett Burger and Jayda G, runs to its conclusion (apparently) with releases from the likes of LNS, Rudow and of course Fett Burger and Jayda G making a formidable impression on contemporary House music through a reserved but consistent catalogue.
358 Men doesn’t tread very far from the path they’ve carved out as a label with an album of solid functional House tracks with a clear purview on the dance floor, but it also hides something special. Fusing elements of House with a Balearic charm, Fett Burger and Stiletti Ana blend functionalism with progression over the course of six tracks and three fillers.
Various hand percussive instruments leave their mark as Fett Burger’s distinguishable trait in his music, while a plethora of adventurous electronic sounds coalesce around unwavering rhythmic motifs. Laying a staunch foundation through the looping rhythm sections that progress very little through the course of a track, Fett Burger and Stiletti Ana pile on synthetic textures in a progressive House style that borders on psychedelic.
“Smell of Gasoline” with its catchy lo-fi, bubblegum melodies and strict 4-4 rhythms is the clear crowd pleaser standing on its own on the B-side at 45 rpm, while tracks like “Brain Dead” with its lethargic pace and kaleidoscopic textures travel the furthest outside dance floor parameters to make a very dynamic experience across the length of the LP.
If rumours are true and this is indeed the end of Freakout Cult this LP ends it on a high note, putting the rest of catalogue into perspective and on occasion showcasing the utter extremities of the label’s sound and ideology. DJ Fett Burger and Stiletti Ana find a musical language all their own on this LP, a space between Lo-Fi psychedelic and progressive House music that works on the dance floor and the context of an album, a rare combination.