Dirtybird White Label series #3 goes even further outside the lines featuring 20/20 London's own, Ivy Lab. This duo are figureheads in the Future Beats movement, and their “Press Play EP” is a collection of 4 tracks that explore all facets of the sound. From futuristic acid half step to Neptunes-influenced BBQ beats and sublime Drum n Bass, the EP shows range and skill few producers can match.
We continue our special Dirtybird White Label Series with an artist that embodies what the eclectic new platform is all about, Nikki Nair - A brilliant producer and wildly musical mind.
The "More Is Different" EP is full of eclectic and unique productions. The lead track “It Goes”, seamlessly changes mood and direction from gnarly, contorted bass to angelic melodies. “Socket” boom-baps it’s way with square synths, frenetic beats and pensive keys, while the live drum kit, guitar and warped vocal on “Something” are unexpected, yet refreshing, elements to the anodic track.
The EP rounds out with “Want To You”, a fast-paced and frantic piece of work influenced by juke and ghetto house, perfectly encapsulating the sound of the series and Nikki’s immense talent.
A late night conversation about the past and future of dance music elicited this surprise left field collaboration from Justin Jay and Claude VonStroke. Justin’s mission was simple: push VonStroke to the fringes. Being no stranger to disruption, Claude loved the idea of challenging creative expectations. The result is five intricate and leftfield landscapes, featuring a special remix from Pearson Sound.
‘Oh’ is an EP with influences from UK jungle, Detroit electro, Chicago juke and the deconstructed hip hop that shaped much of the early Dirtybird sound. The tracks differ radically but are strung together with a sense of excitement embedded in their polyrhythmic drum patterns and dynamic arrangement.
‘Oh’ is pressed on a simple whitelabel disc, shedding expectations and kicking off a new series of alternative genre records at a label that's always been about breaking the mold and not taking itself too seriously.
“Both Nikki Nair & Nala have had breakout years on Dirtybird. Now they come together on the next installment of our experimental White Label series with "The World is Always Ending.” Nikki’s futuristic productions alongside Nala’s dynamic vocal range highlight these two songs on opposite ends of the spectrum. The frenetic, breakbeat and filtered vocal of “Escape”, is a combo of nasty electro and hardcore jungle distortion. The title track is a modernized twist on Sneaker Pimps and Chemical Brothers vibes resulting in one of the coolest singles on the label this year.”
Hugo Massien is a synthesizer engineer at Novation with high profile singles on XL Recordings and a stellar 2021 album, "Metamorphosis”, which caught the ear of Claude VonStroke. He is a fixture in the sets of Roman Flugel, TEED, and Ben UFO to name a few. We are more than thrilled to welcome him to the Dirtybird white label series with “Fast Forward”.
Hugo delivers four vinyl gems— from the melodic break of "Fast Foward”, to the dream state mood of “Dynamic Symmetry”, the lo-fi bass of “Quantum Mechanics”, and sublime “Astral State”.
