Review: It's time to dive into something a little different from Dubthing next as the one and only Thing touches down for a much more UKG-inspired excursion than we would normally expect, bringing a slightly different side of his character to the table. First up, the groovy chord progressions and wooden-sounding percussion patterns of 'Minimal Select' give us a quirky introductory dive, with 'Cold Sleeping Environment' then allowing us a more jittery 2-step, doused in colourful glitchy grooves. From here, the title track 'Banquet Weekend' brings us a more sharpened focus on moody melodics and subtle bass synths, with the more abstract sub-bass designs and plucky chord progressions of 'I'm Broken' then giving us a slightly dissonant closer for good measure.
Review: We do love to see a Thing longplay pop up in the store, this time unloading 11 awesome originals from across the UKG spectrum. The introduction of 'You & Me' sets a potent tone of emotional vocal sampling and crunchy drum work, with follow up tracks such as 'Time After Time' and 'So Nostalgic' allowing Thing to flex his production muscles and explore different sonic avenues, without the EP losing any pace or potency as it advances. This is without a doubt a project that needs to be taken in during a longplay listen if you want to experience it's full magnificence, but immediate highlights include the sumptuous sub designs and shuffling drum textures of 'Fight The Power', next to the uber-moody VIP mix of 'Forest Swords' and aquatic harmonic structure of 'Blue Ocean Love'. Outstanding work!
Review: Something that seems to be genuinely rare to find these days is a truly immersive bass album, exploring the various sects of underground dance music through a unique lens. That is exactly what we have stumbled across here as Thing delivers a twelve track epic, giving us a birds eye view of so many different sounds. From the aquatic percussive puddles of 'Blue Ocean Love; to the euphoria-inducing vocal delays of 'Time After Time' and sweeping sub shakes of 'Fight The Power', this album really does take us around the block and back again. We would definitely recommend listening in long play, but for some initial highlights, check out the dreamy soundscapes of 'Rainy Windows' and uplifting synth textures of 'Follow Me Around' for a brief taste of what's to come!