Oathcreations introduces a new name to its catalog with Vault With Holes, the debut EP from French duo C.ling. The project arrives after an initial single released on March 6, followed by the full EP rollout last week on March 20. Across six tracks, the duo works through IDM, breaks, and experimental structures with a clear emphasis on arrangement, tonal detail, and evolving rhythm.
C.ling consists of Paul Brunet and Alexandre Maillet, who began working together in Bordeaux before relocating to Paris and Brussels. Their background includes exposure to classical training alongside a wider interest in European electronic music scenes, and that combination shows up in how the EP is constructed. The record avoids fixed genre positioning and instead focuses on pacing, layering, and the relationship between acoustic and electronic elements.
A debut focused on structure, layering, and tonal variation
Vault With Holes opens with “Divx,” which sets the framework for the EP. The track balances melodic phrasing with a restrained rhythmic structure, allowing the midrange elements to develop gradually before the full percussion enters. The arrangement is controlled, with each layer introduced in a way that maintains clarity rather than density.
“Harvesting Ages” expands on that approach by introducing more complex layering. Pads and melodic elements shift across the stereo field while the rhythm builds toward a more defined second half. The transition into guitar and heavier percussion is gradual, which keeps the track cohesive even as the instrumentation changes.
“Shallow Reflections” moves into a more minimal direction. The track relies on space and controlled repetition, with vocal fragments and low-end elements used sparingly. This creates a more open structure, where the listener can follow individual elements without them competing for attention.
Movement between rhythm-driven and ambient forms
“Ywhw” functions as a pivot point in the EP. The track removes the rhythmic foundation and focuses on harmonic development, with guitar and ambient layers carrying the composition. This break in structure changes the pacing of the record and provides contrast before the final two tracks.
“Mutualism” brings the rhythm back with a more direct approach. The drums are more pronounced, and the bassline is used to anchor the track while melodic sequences move around it. There is a clear reference to ambient techno structures, with a steady pulse that supports gradual variation.
“Stranded Matter” closes the EP with a denser and more forward-moving arrangement. The tempo increases, and the layering becomes more active, combining elements introduced earlier in the record into a more unified structure. The track maintains control while increasing intensity, which makes it a functional closing piece.
Vault With Holes works as a complete introduction to C.ling’s approach. The EP moves between rhythmic and non-rhythmic forms without losing continuity, and each track contributes to a broader sense of progression. For Oathcreations, this release continues its focus on artists who prioritize structure, detail, and long-form listening.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
