Rian Treanor's "Obstacle Scattering EP" arrives in a flurry of disorienting rhythmic bursts and de-purposed rave hallmarks. The four-track EP follows the Yorkshire producer's acclaimed "File Under UK Metaplasm", an album that welded elements from the UK's sprawling dance music history with genre-breaking sounds from further afield. Here, Rian goes straight for the jugular with four tracks assembled specifically for the dancefloor. Playing with 'the idea of sound being an obstacle that you have to get your body around,' each track on the EP presents a suite of complications for adventurous ravers. "Obstacle 1" folds the influence of SND into a hi-nrg singeli framework, simmering lush FM synths in a broth of tangled kicks; "Obstacle 2" was written for Rian's set at 2019's Aphex Twin-curated Warehouse Project and distills his early obsession with Planet Mu in hyperactive squelches that deftly flit between brutalist glitches and ear-pummeling bass. Meanwhile irradiant chords continuously refract a bouncing 4x4 groove on "Obstacle 3", subtly shifting the focus as they alternate and interlock. Closer "Obstacle 4" switches things up once again, deploying the idea of pause and effect with staccato stabs that follow whirls of modulated synth. These four obstacles are DJ tools with spikes - selected grooves that don't fit anywhere except together, mapping out Rian's constantly-shifting relationship with both the club and the legacy of boundary-pushing dance music. They feverishly demonstrate the outer limits of a streamlined sonic palette, devastating speakers and dancefloors in equal measure.

STAFF COMMENTS

says: I feel like my head's been turned inside out, sandblasted, jet-washed and put through the tumble drier before being ironed back out. A cerebral-irrigation if you needed one. Fuckin' mega.

Pointing a lubed middle finger in the general direction of Brexit, London and Amsterdam connect for this lush effin record! UK legend IG Culture brings some London bruk boogie to the mix of "Believe" as LCSM, the afro-futuristic jazz venture known as Likwid Continual Space Motion. Super smooth and shimmering with spiritual frequencies, this cut skips onto the dance floor, its carefree poise disguising the complex balance between persistence and sensitivity. A joint release between Dopeness Galore and INI Movement originator Shamis.

“One for the real heads, made for dance floors in dim basements”

STAFF COMMENTS

says: 'Believe' is giving me life right now! Soulful vocals, jazzy keys and some gurgling bass for the Thundercat fans. Then you get the ace LCSM mixes for when you want a lockdown boogie. Perfect!