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Now back with their second installment, MIL kick off the first of their 'Lovebox VA' series, a double-vinyl release that includes tracks from 8 artists on the label. The premise of this VA is to preview the diverse musical talent available on the roster, laying the foundations for what listeners can expect from each artists' subsequent EPs. It's also a serious exhibition that delves further into the visionary perspective of imprint owners Oli and Angus. The journey through the labels acquisitions will no doubt help illuminate the appeal of MIL as a label focused on exploring and showcasing some of the finest talent in the underground house scene at the moment. The EP is formulated to span the variety of influences indicative of the label's sound, characterized by each artist's uniquely different offering. Keep Coming is an outstanding introduction to Liam Geddes, an incredibly tight production with a heavy bassline containing shades of Kerri Chandler fused with deep chords and swirling synths that build and coalesce back into a straight-up groove. Maintaining the garage tendencies, Maxwell's Need You is all about melody, rhythm and intimacy with skittering percussion laced together with resonating, deep piano stabs and moody bass over an accentuating R&B vocal. There are head-nodding grooves on all tracks, stylized by cut-up vocal flourishes, shuffling hi-hats, groove-heavy basslines and inviting deep house/garage sounds. This mirage of house and garage can be heard on Banjax's Give it to me, a track that pieces tougher bass, dubbed chords and heavy bass-kicks to really compliment the soulful vocal hook. Jackmaster K quickens the tempo slightly utilizing the classic Happy Clapper's house sample anchored over sharp snares and a hacienda-like bassline to create a real Balearic 90's vibe. Tracks from JMX and Mikki Funk will capture the imagination of dance-floors all over with their uplifting, house rollers. The former is more garage tinged, fusing a looping vocal sample over sharp, organ stabs that build throughout while the latter embodies tight percussive elements interwoven with piano stabs, a female vocal and deep bass to give a nice contemporary vibe. It's no surprise that Jamie Trench's Juicy has been gaining some serious heat and earning plaudits from the likes of Ross Yallop and Richy Ahmed. This track nods increasingly to earlier influences with a rolling bassline that resonates with melodic similarities to Omar S' Day, albeit in a more exuberant way. Swinging hi-hats and percussive rhythms give it a hip hop-like feel, complete with a punchy vocal that descends into stripped-back dance floor house at its finest. New Jack City pick up from the success of their highly rated debut EP with yet another straight-up banger. The key with these guys lies in their simplicity. They call on classic tracks of 90s garage and New Jersey house and encapsulate what it means to be contemporary in today's era, effortlessly embellished in Just Love It. Oli and Angus have managed to collate and produce a collection of tracks that not only echo but amplify the passion that they draw their influence from. The difference in approach and outcome from each artist results in a highly impressive outcome, with 8 effective tracks that serve as a seamless statement of purpose to how contemporary house music should sound. It's not just about the musical aesthetic. The artwork is handcrafted with a unique gatefold vinyl sleeve to accompany the double vinyl release. The emphasis on extending quality in all aspects of the label has helped create a refreshing dynamic to the label, and as so long as the label owners pertain to their musical philosophy then no doubt we'll carry on witnessing some of the most promising talent in underground house on MIL.