Locked Groove ‘Keep It Simple’ EP (Preview) (Forthcoming - Hotflush, June 18th)

Minerva - Rethink (Drop/Dead Remix) (Clip)

Repetition, in moderation, can prove to by an intoxicating experience. In Drop/Dead’s newest peak at a remix he is working on, we are hypnotized at first with the seductive vocals repeating themselves up to the point where a majority of the percussion comes in. The entire sound has an entrancing atmosphere to it, when you include the driving layer of hazed-out low ends that juxtapose many of the composing layers. It is a very mesmerizing track to say the least, and with the potential it already carries simply being a ‘clip’ - the final-to-come will undoubtedly be surprising. Listen to more of Drop/Dead’s work via Soundcloud.  

AlunaGeorge - You Know You Like It (Bondax Remix)

It’s no mystery that Bondax has a knack for the remix’s and as their new re-work of AlunaGeorge’s “You Know You Like It” illustrates the more bubble gum pop the inspiration, the better. Utilizing the almost jazz like structure of vocal crescendos throughout their sampling of the original mix, the Lancaster badmen fashion a tight, highly synchronized arrangement filled with bounding arpeggio’s and warm choral vibrancies. Download above-mentioned ruckus via The FADER and roll on the boys Soundcloud for even more general dopeness.

Soaka - Let Go

New to our radar, Soaka hits the scene running. His track “Let Go” appears to be the result of minimalism and heavy-ended vibes colliding at immeasurable forces to eventually create something mercurial and emotional. The producer out of Britain has done an amazing task of balancing sounds and samples on opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of depth and volume. You can find more originals and remixes via his Soundcloud.

REVIEW: Saulya - Effort Isn’t Enough

Effort Isn’t Enough, the newest release by the Nottingham dubstep talent, plunges you into an alternate synth universe. After the initial transition into this loud and unabashed universe, the brightness of the colors shine through and transport you. All of the quirk of the first tune, the title track, is immediately transplanted by the deep bass rumbling and cop show vibe of “Gravitas.” The third track, after a subdued vibraphonic introduction, releases gleaming drops of light noise over pulsing menu screen beats. Saulya has adopted the plucking and plodding melodic lines that can be heard most crudely in the menu screens of Nintendo games, and ported them into dubstep bass club hits. This is, ultimately, buoyant dance music that is as colorful and enjoyable as Squelch and Clap’s album cover.

I was not convinced immediately. I dismissed the sound as too fanciful and over-enthusiastic. The tracks seem to date themselves to a time period I can’t place. But then I realized that this is actually a mark of Saulya’s imagination and inventiveness. The synths were chosen, conscious of their retrospective entanglements, and in anticipation of fostering those retrospective vibes in the present. The difference in listening to this EP comes in it’s uniquely optimistic and retro waves. There is nothing quite like Effort Isn’t Enough after you’ve heard it.

Saulya’s sonic range is full of liftoffs, dials, LED screens, cosmic dust, and color; yet his bass lines remain rooted in your stomach and in your feet, in constant motion. These numbers are crafted for you to dance to. In addition to the three originals, there is also a remix of the title track by Arcade. Arcade tones down the bright colors, actually raises the brightness of the drum snaps, and pushes the bass into dubstep breakdowns that would set any house on fire. Play this remix at your next dance party.

Gravitas, the second track, is the most serious dubstep number of the three, and provides the dark middle matter to the EP, surrounded on both sides by quixotic space age delight. The bassline is constantly revolving and driving the rhythm of the tune, and the synths provide brief breaths of relief. This track is simultaneously the hardest to chew and the most grounded in its relatability. Saulya’s boldness comes through in this track and is thereafter noticeable in the other tracks as well.

Overall, this release from the reputable Squelch and Clap label burns brightly and leaves no good times behind. Check out more of Saulya’s work over at his Soundcloud, and more releases by Squelch and Clap at their website here.