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SUBJEX :: Supersonic Mezze EP (CD/12inch)
Before this EP, Subjex put out only a 7″ on Planet Mu and a split with Doormouse on the elusive Combine Records. Only a few releases, but enough to understand the true talent of this guy. Supersonic Mezze starts abruptly with the title track, that contains all the peculiar features of Subjex’ music: hiccupping 8-bit melodies, hyperkinetic drill’n’bass rhythms and some breakcore heaviness. ‘Microcheap’ is more focused on the videogame squeaks, while ‘Combinative Fever’ it’s a weird four-to-the-floor track with rubber kicks and dripping bleeps, something that would flow nicely mixed with some Eight Frozen Modules tune. ‘I Share Because you Do (Leecher mix)’ is surely one of the highlights, the drum rushes are some of the most head nodding material ever made, acid squirts all over pumping bass kicks and scrambled breaks, there’s nothing to do but dance. ‘Recreative Commons’ is another floor killer, its straight break is unstoppable, there are loads of cartoon noises jumping all around the track and even some ragga riffs. Sheer digital fun, Supersonic Mezze is simply unmissable and I really hope to see a Subjex album very soon because he deserves more and more attention.
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FAZ-L :: 1.0 (CD)
1.0 is a nice trip-hop based record that merges deep hip-hop rhythms with live instruments, orchestral arrangements and sometimes even acidic bleeps. “Cosmo TV” starts very dark but evolves into a melancholic piano solo, “Scientific Working” and “Cyber Attack” are full of strings, flutes and sax riffs, while “Creative Science” turns toward techno influences. After the creepy “Freeze Space” there’s “Pardu Dans La Foule” which is an ambitious tune with female vocals, it reminds me of Lamb and it sounds a bit out of place, also because the following tracks are very close to the sound encountered in the first half of the record. It’s not my favourite stuff, but 1.0 it’s surely well produced: I would reccomend it to fans of Ninja Tune or Merck.
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DEEWORK :: Under Dev EP (CD/12inch)
If this title were released on an established label, now there would be a huge Deework fan base. Under Dev- has got all the ingredients to gain the attention of a wide crowd: heavy hip-hop influences, DSP trickery pushed to the maximum, grimey bass and solid production. Think Eight Frozen Modules or Brothomstates focused on hip-hop rhythms and you have a rough idea of how Under Dev- sounds like. Heavy effects and processing are applied to every drum element, giving rise to crunchy, thick beats, a hardcore assault enhanced by sampled lyrics of unknown origin, low-pitched and ripped into pieces. This is the perfect material for the new millennium b-boys: pick ‘Random Language’ for example, you got head nodding beats, swarms of glitches and rough noisy bass, fractured vocals and an amount of DSP devastation comparable to a Richard Devine work. I mean, you want more? I say yes, I want more Deework. I really hope there’s a full album planned soon, because I’m already addicted.
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COSMICPOCKET :: Astral Tale (CD)
This was the first release on In Vitro back in 2004, and as you can figure looking at the cover, it’s funny, mellow electronica inspired by manga themes and videogame soundtracks. Don’t expect 8-bit rawness though, Astral Tale is more focused on high pitched joyful tunes than trying to emulate the lo-fi audio mechanics of some old fashioned console. This load of sugary melodies is gently accompained by lightweight percussions and warm clicky drumloops, with the nice exception of “Cosmicpocket Party” that features a kicking dance beat. I would have liked more tracks like this, or at least some more rhythmical variety, because the presence of catchy tunes like “Astrari The Nextworld” or “Playground” is not enough to keep my attention throughout the entire album. Obviously if you’re a fan of fanciful electronica this is like heaven, since it’s indeed very well produced.
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All releases above are out now on In Vitro Records.
