Kicking things off with a lot of finesse and power, EP opener "Far Out" merges Digital Mystikz dub hauntologies with the UK-centric breakbeat styles of Leftfield circa "Africa Shox". Lift-off comes in the shape of the second track "Temptation", a number that's sure to nail ravers down to the ground of many a discerning techno moshpit; dub echoes mingling with cavernous clangs, Detroit pads and elegant beats roll over tons a' relentless bass. A3 cut "Bassforce" brings in the LFO-style creepy strings to good use while technoid, broken riddims erupt in a way that references golden age dubstep, jungle and raw T++ tunes.
Swaying all expectations thus far, fourth track "Drowned" sends us into shiny anxiolytic bliss, with its crunched-down beats, dripping-wet soul samples and Maria Amor's dreamy textural vocals. Label mum-sweetie Violet takes a left turn into metallic electro rambunction with sub-bass wobbles, trancey stacks of synths and a breezy sense of melody. Closing down the EP in the best possible way, we've got none other than naive's main girl - and utter twitter champion - Ilana Bryne also on the remix, condensing a liquid breakbeat roller that sounds like the offspring of LTJ Bukem and Wookie; meditative and atmospheric airs of hope and mystery float over lean, funky kicks, snares and subs, irradiating healing vibes galore.
Could planet Earth be considered a living being? And if so, could it be seen as the physical vessel of a planetary-level spiritual entity? Ancient Hinduism believed so and expounded it in The Upanishads: a collection of early sacred texts where such entity was named Sanat Kumara and inhabited the very center of the Earth, lodged in the wondrous city of Shamballa - these beliefs were later appropriated by western New Age sects of the early 20th century and turned into all manner of silly representations and distortions.
Folks, grab a seat because mother is back! Well, technically Violet’s just released a whole album on naivety - go check it out btw - but this will be her first naive solo EP since “Togetherness” exploded and became the ubiquitous dancefloor track we all know and love.
On “Espírito” she leaves behind any trace of contemplative jungle and house hybridification to concoct a commanding blend of leftfield Detroit techno sonics and dramatic NYC tribal house. The A-side is a perfect example of this fiery marriage of Sound Factory hard-house beats and glass-like pointillisms that evoke Terrence Dixon and other Midwest experimentalists.
On the flip side, “Psyche” is a more abstract and somewhat intimate juxtaposition of nervous energy, off-kilter breakbeats and wide-eyed futuristic optimism; a bit as if The Black Dog released their first demos on Cómeme in 2015.
On the remix we have none other than the Motherbeat founder, High Priestess of the decks and naive royalty Eris Drew, who takes the celestial clouds of spiritual Love from the original and layers them over slick but super-satisfyingly complex beats and textures, exploding into moments of pure lightness and sisterly dancefloor expansion.
