- Glasgow's Inkke is one of the latest producers to spring forth from the UK's instrumental grime scene, and this EP is his first official release. That it's the debut of a producer aiming to make his mark on a burgeoning scene might go some way to explaining its eight-track length, but it's to Inkke's credit that Crystal Children doesn't feel bloated or overwrought.
The title is appropriate—Inkke's hooks often lends his tracks an innocent air. "Lego Riddim" is probably the record's strongest track, with Inkke offsetting a jaunty hook with a thumping bassline and accents of pitched percussion. "Daisy Chain," with sugary melodies again countered by a no-nonsense bassline, feels less accomplished, and longer than it should at three minutes. "Zen" stands out, thanks to its wider dynamic range and more fully realised sense of progression; when the crispy snares and almost ravey synths enter full force, it's a good deal more rewarding. An unsuitable vocal sample about "the old school" threatens to undermine "Thinkk Star," but matched with rolling percussion, a rude bassline and more sparkling synth work it thankfully doesn't succeed. Gage's remix better hits the mark, despite heavy use of the sample, taking its time to unfurl from a tense, understated introduction into a punishing rhythm. "Paradise" is a curveball of sorts, a rather lovely vocal track that nods in the direction of Portishead, with Inkke's understated instrumental letting Julia Joban's soprano take centre stage. JT The Goon's remix is more club-ready, pulling in woozy synth countermelodies and snapping percussion while leaving its melancholic beauty intact.
TracklistA1 Lego Riddim
A2 Daisy Chain
A3 Zen
B1 Thinkk Star (Club Mix)
B2 Ultraviolet
B3 Paradise feat. Julia Juban