Review:
Things get distinctly darker in the Playaz camp with the addition of US-based neuro / tech producer Gridlok's Smuggler release. Expect gnarly beats, ominous vocal samples and twisted, roughed up SFX to dominate the proceedings. First up, title track "Smuggler" promises a lot and delivers even more, with a tense intro of building bleeps and metallic flickers with vocodered spoken words adding even more sense of doom from above. The main track is full of gritty, grizzled synths, punchy drums and groaning bass. "After Midnite" sees a return to a late 90s Virus-esque sound, with epic choral-tinted intro giving way to the main tune which is all pounding drums with a raw, rough edge and classic stepper vibes.