(08.03.08) Mighty Robot Recordings Summer catalogue is in full swing, with the Scottish imprint offering up a 12″ by one of their new artists: Dirty Hospital. This new four tracker EP, entitled Leave The Planet, adds a new element to the ever varying Mighty Robot discography.
Dirty Hospital are a Scottish outfit that have been releasing since 2002. Leave The Planet is their sixth release, and their first since November of 2007. So what are these guys all about? Their back catalogue is home to elements of electro and techno, but Leave The Planet is not such an easily pigeon-holed piece. The record opens with the obscure beats of “Sanoman.” Shimmering synth notes form to give the track an unstable melody whilst drums hold the forefront. There is a definite dub aspect to “Sanoman,” being reminiscent of records from the defunct Ampoule imprint. The 12″ brings the listener to more unnerving ground with “Softstem.” The track is structured around deep heavy chords that run with dark undercurrents. As the needle reaches further into the record the tone becomes softer, the tempo lowers and xylophonic bleeps soothe the piece to create an intriguing work of dark and light.
Minimal tones return for “Mind Grind.” Yet, the subtle basic beginning soon turns to squalor as acid is poured onto simplicity leading to ruddy 303 reverberations. The minimal dub feel is never too far off in this track, with some odd twists and turns giving it a Basic Channel hue. The track is like a fight between minimal dub and dancefloor electro; with neither winning outright but both camps putting up a good show. The title piece ends the EP, “Leave The Planet.” Powerful synthlines and beats push this deep piece of electro, with an astro element to the melody reminiscent to some early UK techno sounds. “Leave The Planet” is one of the more complex works on the record, and finishes the EP off nicely.
Leave The Planet is a platter vinyl plate, offering the listener an array of different choices made from the same ingredients. Dirty Hospital have created four quite varied works, but all from the same template. From sinister style electro, to cerebral compositions, Leave The Planet is more than a simple four tracker electro EP. With this Mighty Robot Recordings are expanding their own audio base, injecting new styles into their growing and evolving roster.
Leave The Planet is out now on Mighty Robot.
