(06.13.06) The straight four to the floor kick drum of “Wake Up Call” speaks clearly: something has changed.
Drop The Lime has shifted from breakcore to grimey techno, with a sudden turn that somewhat recalls Photek’s Solaris. Another thing in common with this latter example, it’s that despite many critical reviews, I actually enjoy this record quite a bit. If you pay attention, you’ll notice that DTL didn’t simply jump on the dubstep bandwagon, he has been indeed inspired by the grime trend but merged it with his features, namely a fast pace, huge wobbly bass and his trademark crooner voice. He sings a lot, and this time his raw vocals are much more aptly placed over techno beats and sometimes instrumental riffs, sounding like Jamie Lidell heavily under the influence; it’s impossible to avoid singing to “Coal Oven Fevers,” and the climaxes of “Butterscotch” and “Full Moon Rising” will make you scream loud over the accelerating rhythm.
In many ways this is a more mature work, because he used his trained skills to produce a record that is utterly funny, shaking and club friendly: drop the hardcore “Hot Sauce Grillz” or the throbbing “E-Lock” and you will tear any dancefloor. Search online for a ludicrous video of this latter track, with Luca Venezia robot dancing among sheeps in the Alps. “Triceratops” is another screaming tune with hectic breaks, but again it’s too fast and technoid to be mixed with grime. “Turn Out The Light” seems the right ballad to close the album, but there’s still a funky piece called “Skyline Fantasy” that works as an after-party tune.
I can understand that breakcore fans could be shocked hearing We Never Sleep, but unless you hate techno you shouldn’t complain about such an exciting record. I admire an artist who decides to choose a totally different sound after his first album and a pile of vinyl releases had been acclaimed as some of the best breakcore music ever made (with more than a reason).
We Never Sleep is out now on Tigerbeat6. Buy it at Amazon.com.
