Share This Article
There is a certain kind of house music that does not need to rush towards a destination. It is music built around movement, but not necessarily progression; around repetition, but not monotony. Marcus Watkins’ For Those Who Crave, released through Du.Me Records, belongs to that space, presenting three extended cuts that favour atmosphere, groove and gradual development over immediate impact.
The EP opens with “Voices from Above”, a track that immediately establishes the measured pace of the release. At 116 BPM, it moves with an unhurried confidence, giving its rhythmic elements enough room to breathe. Rather than treating the groove simply as a functional tool for the dancefloor, Watkins allows it to become the centre of the listening experience. The result is a track that feels comfortable occupying its own space, without constantly searching for a dramatic turning point.
There is a similar philosophy behind “Da Gojo”, although its slightly faster 118 BPM pulse introduces a little more forward motion. The second track works effectively as the EP’s central pivot, maintaining the release’s deep-house foundations while subtly changing its energy. Watkins does not radically alter the formula; instead, he explores what can be achieved through small shifts in rhythm and atmosphere.
That restraint becomes one of the most defining characteristics of For Those Who Crave. Across the three tracks, there is no sense that Watkins is attempting to demonstrate how many ideas he can fit into a single release. The opposite seems closer to the truth: the EP gives its ideas enough time to develop. Each track sits comfortably around the six-to-seven-minute mark, allowing the arrangements to unfold at their own pace rather than being compressed into a more immediate format.
The closing “49 Revolutions Around the Sun” is particularly well suited to this approach. At just over seven minutes, it is the longest track on the EP and gives Watkins the most space to establish a sense of continuity. Its 118 BPM tempo keeps the record moving, while the darker F♯ minor tonality adds another shade to the release’s otherwise warm and restrained atmosphere.
Taken individually, the three tracks function as straightforward deep-house propositions. Together, however, they reveal a more coherent idea. For Those Who Crave is less concerned with spectacular moments than with creating a sustained mood, and that makes the EP feel deliberately focused. Its consistency is not necessarily a limitation; instead, it becomes part of the record’s character.
The title For Those Who Crave also seems appropriate in that sense. There is an appetite at the heart of the release, but it is not expressed through excess. Watkins approaches desire through repetition and anticipation, allowing the listener to remain inside the groove rather than constantly interrupting it with new ideas. It is house music that understands the pleasure of staying with something for a while.
There is also something refreshing about the simplicity of the format. Three tracks, no unnecessary detours, and close to twenty minutes of music that maintains a clear stylistic direction from beginning to end. Du.Me Records categorises the release as Chill House, while other digital stores place it under Deep House; either way, the important point is that Watkins operates comfortably in the space between relaxed listening and dancefloor functionality.
For Those Who Crave does not attempt to reinvent deep house, nor does it need to. Its strength lies in understanding the appeal of a well-established language and working patiently within it. Marcus Watkins delivers an EP that is cohesive, unhurried and designed to reveal its qualities through repetition rather than instant gratification.
Sometimes a record does not need to demand attention. Sometimes it is enough for it to create a space worth remaining in. With For Those Who Crave, Marcus Watkins chooses the latter.
