Tuning into a library of orgasms – a repository of breathy climax sounds that challenges skewed perspectives of sex – is certainly an atypical methodology for record creation. It makes sense, though, that sensuality would be the backbone of British DJ Elkka’s first full-length record. Reaching crescendo – that is, learning to embrace queer pleasure and authenticity – is all part of Elkka’s narrative.
“I was never taught about queer pleasure,” says Elkka (born Emma Kirby), in the record’s press materials. The DJ – who is also behind indie record label Femme Culture – was raised in South Wales with “next to no queer community”, but later found solace and freedom in London’s queer club scene. On dewy dancefloors, she collided with LGBTQ+ bodies, and her debut ‘Prism of Pleasure’ bottles the connective tissue of house music culture. Crafted alongside sex expert Oli Lipsky, here, Elkka deep dives into intimacy in its myriad forms.
In doing so, ‘Prism of Pleasure’ is an affecting endeavour into club culture, and also explores the intensity of fleeting, overnight infatuation. At times, the record reflects experimental alt-pop (Dot Major collab ‘Air Tight’), while the sizzling ‘I Just Want To Love You’ evokes the early days of Grimes.
‘Prism of Pleasure’ revels in some heady catharsis, too. ‘Make Me’ is wiry but energetic, conjuring images of sloshing beers and festival flings. Later, the romantic ’Your Skin’ fizzes with the intensity of an intoxicated snog. ‘Passionfruit’ (feat. John Carroll Kirby) simmers along gently and feels fit for those lighthearted club moments, like indulging in a quick cig before rushing back to the dancefloor. All of this makes for a playful yet occasionally personal record, in which Elkka offers a tantalising peek at her journey to date.
