Earlier this year, this shadowy label came from nowhere straight onto the globes deeper floors, from Panorama Bar to Fabric and many in between. Provoking comparisons with classic UK labels like B12 and Irdial, the EP gained number 1 chartings and found its way into a wide array of DJ boxes, with the likes of DVS1, dbridge, Roger 23, Justin Miller (DFA), Dario Zenker, Deep Space Helsinki, DJ Mourad and Surfaces Nick Dunton all hooked.
Dark Arts 02 starts out in deep space with “shimmer” – otherworldly synths snake around an elastic bass line and combine with haunting strings to create a piece of techno that is at once unique, classic and timeless.
“blue_shift” is space-aged tech-funk of the highest order. The ricocheting synth work, thunderous claps and bottom end create that special mix of emotion and drive normally associated with the motor city’s finest.
“dwelling” is a murky electro soundscape. Crisp, spacious beats underpin the sparse melodic flourishes and echoey, alien atmospherics. A highly-crafted piece of electronic goodness.
“search” – simply one of the most solid grooves you will hear this year. Just when you are locked in and the stabs are increasing the intensity, the track is lifted to another level by the razor-sharp percussion that is fast-becoming a trademark of this rising producer.
dark arts 02 keeps up this label’s tradition of high quality, coloured vinyl only releases, mastered by one of Europe’s finest engineers.
All tracks by S Crosbie.