Having repeatedly proven himself to be one of the UK's most innovative rising producers, Impey returns with his debut EP, 'Midnight In Little Havana', on the critically acclaimed Astral Black imprint. The release follows his 'BangClap' single which comes off the back of two prolific years that have seen the 20 year old producer crafting soundscapes for viral campaigns for Converse, securing a residency on NTS, tearing up radio sets alongside the likes of Faze Miyake, and having the likes of Skepta, Trim, Capo Lee and Rocks FOE bless his instrumentals on sets from Slimzee, DJ Maximum, Kahn & Neek, Murlo and Plastician. 'Midnight In Little Havana' sees Impey serving up a diverse five track collection that showcase his versatile production skills drawing influence from Grime, Jersey club and Vangelis-esque synthscapes. The EP is as much for the dance floor as it is the after hours bus home. At its centre is long time crowd favourite 'Bleepz' which finally sees its official release, having been a go-to track exclusively for DJs such as Boofy & Hi5Ghost and Kromestar. The track is framed by 130bpm dance floor melters 'Pep Talk' and 'Pong Song' as well as showing Impey's more intricate side through its title track and 'Inner', both of which resemble Astral Black releases by the likes of Drae Da Skimask and Jaisu moreso than its club-focussed vinyl releases. 'Midnight In Little Havana' is presented visually with another stellar effort from Astral Black in-house designer Oscar Whale; the 12" being housed in a full colour sleeve depicting an illustration of Miami's Little Havana strip, as detailed & nuanced as Impey's productions. 'Midnight In Little Havana' is set for release on October 14th on 12" vinyl & digital via Astral Black.
THUGWIDOW (Circadian Rhythms / Tar) is an artist that creates 'modern jungle with a sense of atmosphere and space that alludes most of his peers' (Resident Advisor), Bruised Skies (Pure Life Records / Blank Editions) creates ambience that captures a hyper-real landscape. Here on 'Requiem For a Sesh', the pairs first collaborative record, these two worlds collide to bring the listener an offering of strobe-laden 4x4, disfigured break beats, low slung sqaure waves and euphoria inducing top lines.
EP opener 'Epic Questing' is arguably the most dance-floor refined offering from either artist - sliced vocal chops and hard hitting kick drums tip the hat to classic 90's house anthems before heavily chopped jungle breaks and compressed 808's splinter around your ear drums like it's 3am at Unit 18 and the lighting technician is coming up riding the lazer fader. The ecstasy-laced piano melodies of title track 'Requiem For A Sesh' sounds like the sonic fruits of children raised on Olvie's 'You're not alone' and early XL Recordings 12"s. Elsewhere, 'Void Release' is a peak time 6-minute cataclysm of heavily sliced jungle breaks and jittering basslines, whilst EP closer 'Infinite Bass' feels like the clock winding down on the end of a night that we wish could go on forever.
Bruised Skies has recently been receiving radio support from Murlo, Lee Gamble & Francis Redman. Whilst THUGWIDOW's recent releases have received support from Team Sesh, Amy Becker & Whities as well as glistening reviews on The Quietus, & Resident Advisor.
a1. Thugwidow & Bruised Skies - Epic Questing
a2. Thugwidow & Bruised Skies - Void Release
b1. Thugwidow & Bruised Skies - Requiem For A Sesh
