- Mau'lin's 2011 debut single, Deeper Than The Sun, was a true child of the post-everything confusion from which it sprang. Its hyper-swung title track, in particular, borrowed from dubstep, garage, breakbeat and UK funky, bundling them into a dizzying, maximalist whole. For a long while after it seemed like the London producer would fail to capitalise on his early promise. But the past year has seen a renewed surge of activity, with the launch of the Tender Hooks label, which he co-runs, and a pair of EPs for Japanese label Diskotopia. The Quotient EP, like its predecessor Function Open, moves away from the UK funky-indebted warmth of that early single towards a steelier technoid sensibility. Mau'lin's ear for a limber swing, though, remains intact, as does his taste for muscular, bass-led drops.
The title track keeps to a stolid 4/4 framework, with dubby atmospherics and metallic synth work. "From From" and "Arriver" are more thrilling, each sporting gloopy basslines and the latter softened with a much-needed breath of Detroit soul. With the exception of the digi-only "Visitor"—a comparatively straightforward techno-rave number—these tracks are packed with details, their endless layers of hi-hats, swung auxiliary snares and fiddly synth parts filling every conceivable nook and cranny. This can make for fatiguing listening, but it's difficult not to admire Mau'lin's ambition. UK newcomer Boxwork's Blawan-esque remix of "From From" is a timely reminder that inspiration trumps perspiration every time.
TracklistA1 Quotient
A2 From Form
B1 Arriver
B2 From Form (Boxwork remix)
Digital: Visitor