RECORD OF THE WEEK: Auden - Hunger (Hotflush)

Auden - Hunger (Hotflush 043)

The mysterious Hotflush alias, Auden, is back with its third EP on the imprint. It was safe to say after Auden's sophisticated debut release in July last year, that this was not a junior in the  producing game. Auden's second release 'Wall to Wall,' reinforced the producer's eclectic musical style.

I was expecting all sorts when it came to listening to this release, and 'Hunger,' the A1, kept that oath. The track crescendos vocally into a hard-hitting bassline, before closing out with quieter violin sounds. 

'Simmer Down' keeps you bouncing up and down, and leaves you wanting more of its wobbly character. It's the kind of track that could light up any dancefloor at any given time. 

The third original 'Sewer System' is more down-tempo than the other tracks. It's use of eerie chords and crackling pulses are certainly interesting, yet don't live up to the tone of the other tracks.

Alan Fitzpatrick's remix of 'Hunger' is, to no surprise, a real winner as the techno titan maintains the fierce approach Auden went for with the original.

Auden is a no-nonsense techno producer following no one's style but its own. 'Hunger' continues to indicate that Auden is not afraid to break boundaries. This is certainly the strongest release to date.

3.9/5

Words by Ben Carey

Purchase: Digital /  Vinyl

 

 

Winter is Coming

Here at Y.O we are delighted that autumn is upon us, the nights are getting darker, and sunrise later. There's something about autumn and winter that spurs people to go out to clubs and be together as one, listening to the same music. Living for the weekend is a particularly strong ethos throughout the UK, but it is especially prominent here in London where we have such a strong array of clubs, new and old. With that in mind, we've decided to compile a list of clubs and nights to look forward to as a chill in the air approaches.

READ HERE

 

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Tom Blip - Wrong Guanco (Blip Discs)

Tom Blip - Wrong Guanco (Blip Discs 002) 

Blip Discs is back with another brilliant record from label owner Tom Blip. After releasing an O'Flynn record which flew off the shelves in a matter of days Blip Discs had to repress a limited number of the debut release, so there might be some knocking about if you missed it the first time (Bradley Zero and Gilles Peterson got theirs).

This record further explores the label's tropical mindset with the title track exercising a relentless, and seemingly unending conga workout. The track is nicely balanced out with a marching bassline that will keep you dancing all night long.

The flip side this continues in the right direction. 'Shekere', the name of the B1, is a West African percussion instrument that plays it's role, flirting with the wobbling bassline. This certainly a track for the earlier hours of the morning. 

Blip Discs now have two interesting records under their belt and they're definitely a label to keep an eye on. 

3.6/5

 

Purchase: Digital / Vinyl 

Words by Matthew Barnett

EP Review: Henry Wu - Good Morning Peckham (Rhythm Section Intl)

Henry Wu - Good Morninf Peckham (Rhythm Section Intl.) 

 

After releasing EPs on Odd Socks and Ho-Tep, West Croydon’s Henry Wu has ticked all the boxes again on Rhythm Section’s seventh release, captained by DJ, promoter and Boiler Room man, Bradley Zero.

The album makes use of spoken word pieces, live bass guitar and broken beats; the B1 for example, sounds like the improvised claps are going to slide off the glossy vinyl as I sit here writing this review. 

Wu contends with house-focused tracks well, ‘Dubplate Special’ and Croydon Depot, yet it’s clear that his speciality lies in the more spaced out tracks. What I find so amazing is that I can play this album in the evening at a friend’s house after a few drinks, yet it doesn’t feel out of place on hazy mornings at eight o’clock.

Some would say that this means that it is a well-rounded album; that there are some tracks that suit certain situations and some that suit others – and that’s true, but Wu delves deeper in my opinion. His talent for bringing so many different musical layers together makes this album stand out.

The only criticism I have is that I’d love to see an extended version of Croydon Depot and Dubplate Special.

This varied album, brilliantly arranged and stitched together by spoke word interludes is the kind of record that will have people arguing for hours over just which track is the best. 

 

4.2/5

 

Purchase: Digital / Vinyl  

Words by Matthew Barnett

 

Record of the Week: HNNY - Good (Studio Barnhus)

Record Of The Week is a new, weekly feature for YoungOnes. From now on it will be posted on Thursdays in order to allow you to get your ears wrapped around it over the weekend. 

 

HNNY – Good (Studio Barnhus 030)

HNNY’s had a busy year so far, releasing three very different records on three different labels. Some would have said that the Omena 7” was slightly disappointing in comparison to the ‘Solsidan/Alby’ release on Let’s Play House, which included a stunning remix from Berlin’s Avalon Emerson.

However, HNNY returns after a four-year absence from his first label, Studio Barnhus, with a three-track EP that will soundtrack the rest of your summer. Simple samba beats allow melodies and samples to drift in and out of all three tracks seamlessly. Caypio seems to be designed not only for those summer afternoons but also packs enough of a Balearic punch for the dancefloor.

The title track, Good, again straddles the margins of where this record should be played. Good’s deep house grooves are filtered out until HNNY introduces a signature punchy vocal, after which the track springs back to life.

The ten-minute B2, Kitigai, continues the EP’s easy listening and approachable sound, but is perhaps more tailored for a club environment. It might have been nice to have a remix somewhere in there but all in all, the Swede has been hard at work this year, crafting two brilliant records for two brilliant labels.

 

4.0/5

 

Purchase:  Digital  /  Vinyl

 

Words by Matthew Barnett