Review: There aren't many labels that can genuinely hold a candle to the electronic mastery that Hyperdub have been able to deliver over the last decade alone, seeing their catalogue now bulging at the seams with the most intuitive dance music innovation. This latest collection takes the title '10.4' and supplies us with a deep dive into the full spectrum of where Hyperdub are at, with legendary figures such as Ikonika, Cooly G, Scratch DVA, Martyn, Funkystepz and many more all making their return for a fabulous compilation display. From the high energy rave-inspired synth slinks of Ill Blu's 'Bellion' to the unorthodox percussive bubbles of 'Noyfb' from Laurel Halo & iconic glitchy melodies of Burial's 'Lambeth', this is a truly fabulous exploration into just how abstract electronic dance music can get. Another exceptional collection from a truly outstanding imprint!
Review: On the latest instalment of the long-running DJ-Kicks series, Peggy Gou paints a vivid picture. It starts with the widescreen ambience of Space Time Continuum's 1993 debut, "Fluresence", before moving into her own, cosmic "Hungboo" and the niggling acid of Pearson Sound's "Earwig", a contemporary cousin to Plastikman's Musik. There are other endearing oddities here, such as Andrew Weatherall's seductive house version of Sly & Lovechild's "The World According To..." and the raw drums of Kyle Hall's "Flemmenup". Gou has also included a Detroit techno classic, Psyche's "Crackdown", but balances this out with new, unreleased tracks from I:Cube - "Cassette Jam 1993" sees the maverick French producer deliver a frazzled, hazy affair - and Hiver's pulsating, acid-flecked "Pert".
Review: Much lauded Hyperdub label boss and author of esoteric electronic music literature Kode9 teams up with long term collaborator Spaceape in "Otherman", which as the title indicates, is as much an exploration into the notion of "otherness" as it is a somnambulant journey into a jungle-tinged dubbed out sonic landscape. It is one characterised by crackling atmospherics, muttered lyrics reminiscent of a tribal MC Kemo and a delicious synth haze that washes over all. "Love Is The Drug" (feat. Chinese singer Cha Cha) pairs chopped up vocals with a driving beat and pervasive sense of melancholia. It's a fantastic snapshot of what we can expect from Kode9's forthcoming album Black Sun, out later this month!
Review: The Hyperdub head honcho hooks up with The Spaceape, five years after their debut album Memories Of The Future, for another eloquently crafted and superbly narrated journey through bass music's ever-shifting landscape. With its milestones of dub, techno, house, dubstep and 2-step, the pair's sound has unsurprisingly evolved into something fresh and new. From the dread riddim "Black Smoke" which starts the LP, through the pacing, King Cannibal-esque "Am I" to the hissing, mellifluous sounds of "Black Sun (Partial Eclipse)" and the more maudlin, synth-drenched "Green Sun", it's very much an album of now and makes for essential listening.
DVA - "Solid" (feat Zaki Ibrahim & Metrodome) - (4:19) 126 BPM
Review: The ten year celebrations from Hyperdub continue apace here with the second of four planned label compilations arriving with the stated intention of casting "some sunshine" over the label's sometimes "dread filled reputation". Arriving on just one disc this time round as opposed to two, the fourteen tracks nevertheless features productions from DVA, Morgan Zarate, Cooly G, Jessy and Burial among other Hyperdub regulars, who are joined by the vocal talents of Dam-Funk, Fatima and others. Perhaps most exciting is the inclusion of an unreleased track from the defunct partnership of Dean Blunt & Inga Copeland; fans of the latter will also be intrigued by Kode9?s "Lies Lies", which features the talents of Inga in her new solo guise, copeland.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.