Review: Tapping into retro-active rave aesthetics, classic UKG to techy bassline house and sweet main room melodies, Dusky's latest JOY LP is a definition of itself! Leafing through a full spectrum of genres like Italo disco, electro and subtle krautrock inspirations to happy hardcore and the gamut of rave era tropes, JOY delivers drum and bass, jungle and breakbeat inspirations alongside touches of trance, pop house and Hi-NRG Ibiza sessions that are peppered with flecks of acid, bleep culture and synthwave. What a mouthful, and worth every drop! JOY.
Review: 2018 was a relatively quiet year for Dusky aka Alfie Granger-Howell and Nick Harriman, but the pair follow their recent Aset Forever record with these killer remixes. Issued on their own 17 Steps label, in its original format, "Amongst The Gods" featured raw break beats, euphoric synths and angelic vocals. For this remix package however, Brame & Hamo turn it into a more raw-sounding affair, full of splurging low end and menacing stabs. There's no room for subtlety either on Kettama's version of "Staunch"; pounding kicks support visceral riffs and the kind of swaggering, menacing roof that will leave the faint-hearted traumatised.
Review: Since this EP dropped on vinyl earlier in the year, the sizeable title track has become one of the most ubiquitous peak-time anthems around. That's not meant as a criticism; few do rush-inducing musical moments quite like Dusky, and "Square Miso" is one of their most euphoric productions to date. It's something of a retro-futurist treat, with colossal piano riffs and dewy-eyed vocal samples riding thunderous drums and a booming, mind-altering bassline. For extra spine-tingling pleasure, check out the beat-free "Reprise" version, which wisely emphasizes the "Strings of Life" style pianos and synthesized strings, and the warehouse-friendly, Inner City style throb of "LF10".
Review: Dusky has certainly made the most of running the 17 Steps label. Astonishingly, this is the duo's 16th release on the imprint since it launched back in 2014. As usual, there's plenty to admire across the four-track EP, starting with the poignant chord progressions, rubbery synth-bass, "Show Me Love" organ stabs and trippy late night atmospherics of "Cold Heart". Their penchant for hustling low-end and grandiose synthesizer flourishes is explored further on "Psychic Life Coach", while the superb "Bowed" sees them doffing a cap to both John Carpenter and Patrick Cowley. For those seeking fluttering riffs, heavy analogue bass and breezy, summery vibes, closer "Balfour Betty" should be essential listening.
Review: Having built an impressive reputation via releases on Aus Music and Naked Naked, British house duo Dusky have decided to launch their own label, 17 Steps. This first release - from the duo themselves, naturally - suggests the label could be a force to be reckoned with in coming years. There's a thrillingly saucer-eyed feel about "Love Taking Over", which peppers a robust, sub-heavy groove with drifting alien synths, wonky pads and choice vocal samples. "Inta" is more obviously accessible, with classic house pianos and spoken vocal stabs providing the track with bags of energy. "Expectations" sees the duo return to familiar influences, with acid bass and attractive hooks riding a bustling, US garage-influenced groove.
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