A lot can be said about an album by what happens in the first 30 seconds. Vytear gives a ‘heads up’ with his title of Breaks, and starts off with baby steps of introductory bumps, but within the first minute you know that this album is going to bounce you like a kangaroo jumping on a pogo stick on a trampoline. 12 tracks of anthems, infectious hooks, yo-yo’ed bass bombs, and (of course) shredded breaks blast for over 73 minutes, and if I don’t hear a number of these tracks rocking rooftop parties this summer, I will be very surprised.
There is a tremendous amount of variety in Vytear’s creations- not only between, but also within, each track. Themes and grooves seamlessly flow from one to the other, though the motion is usually one way. Once an idea has been let go, there rarely is much recapitulation and can feel like two or three completely separate entities in one. Track by track, these departures make for a diesel-fueled listening experience, though can be a bit heavy to absorb the whole album in one sitting. However- there is so much gold to be found with minimal sifting, that this CD is a must have for long-time break hounds and newcomers alike.
For my tastes, the opening confiture, “Friends of Jelly,” spreads it best. Unapologetically rambunctious and flavored with blissful abandon, this offering of basstastic jungle cuts belongs in the speakers of DJ’s and Red Bull-ed b-boys at imposing volumes. Other highlights include “Gotta Have Fate” and its electro-samba synthesized vocalise, the dark and aberrant “Clockwise Rotation,” and the 8 1/2 minute warning of “Fear Not the Beat, Yet the Beatmaker.” The hypest drops are only rinsed for a few measures and can be a bit unsatisfying. However, it has forced me to hit the repeat button quite a few times –and that can only be a good thing. Highly recommended.
Breaks is out now on G25 Productions.
