The synth pop flourishes of Neud Photo’s early productions have been purged from Dreamz with stern percussion and lancing lines taking their place. A record steeped in sheer sounds of new beat, music that will leave limbs aching and bodies flailing till dawn.
New beat to its core—a primal energy
Nico Nightingale is nothing if not consistent. The New York artist and DJ has been developing his sound for more than a decade, exploring new ideas and influences with projects like INTRZN and more recently Xerox. Now, it is to his solo pseudonym this multifaceted musician returns; Neud Photo featuring on Mysidian for Dreamz.
A cold chill descends as the opener takes form. “Hologram” is in one part sheer electro, one part basement stomper. Stark beats and sombre silhouettes are encircled by vocal snippets and a marching groove in this dark and moody work. Decoration, the superfluous, is done away with on this 12”. Instead the focus is on the rhythms and ensnaring patterns. Dreamz is in this mould. New beat to its core, the title piece judders on industrial drums with dirty basslines supporting key stabs and a primal energy. Samples feature heavily on the EP with the influence of Belgium being unmistakable. The psychosis and fear of Zsa Zsa Laboum’s “Something Scary” are reimagined in the clatter and thump of “Aether” with paranoia and a threat of violence looming in the stalking “Stairz of Amnesia.” Industrial overtones collide with that threat in the powerful finale “Off Lick.” Born in the fog and strobe of Antwerp 1988, the closer flexes around steel clad snares and stammering snippets as an immense intensity builds; in other words, a banger for sure.
The synth pop flourishes of Neud Photo’s early productions have been purged from Dreamz with stern percussion and lancing lines taking their place. A record steeped in sheer sounds of new beat, music that will leave limbs aching and bodies flailing till dawn.
Dreamz is available on Mysidian.
