- Arriving two years after III, LZD IV is the first Laszlo Dancehall record not released by ManMakeMusic, but it's no radical departure from those filter-heavy house tracks. The duo of Leon Vynehall and Christian Piers (AKA A1 Bassline) stick to their live drum sounds and dusty samples, folding the familiar pieces into equally warm and approachable music. IV is, however, more melodic and airy than its predecessors, which—coupled with strings, pianos and bird sounds—quickly brings to mind Vynehall's Rojus. But without the pretense of a concept album, these four tunes make for unassuming, clear-cut dance floor fare.
The percussive energy of Laszlo Dancehall favorites like "Gave Up" and "Fatty Que" isn't lost to IV's melodic focus, though that spirit is transferred in part to rounded basslines and pillowy samples. "Channel" spreads dreamy Rhodes chords over a shaker and rimshot, before a walking jazz bass ignites the subdued rhythm. A bed of resplendent strings usher in the invigorating beat on "Tide In," which gains intensity without losing its cool. Still, the B-side is more forceful and immediate. "Pelagos" does fantastic work with punchy, swinging drums (the stuttering intro is a particular highlight), and "Tide Out" follows suit in playful yet straightforward fashion. The latter track takes Laszlo Dancehall's stripped-down approach the furthest, delivering effusive house music with little more than a two-chord loop and a lively beat.
TracklistA1 Tide In
A2 Channel
B1 Pelagos
B2 Tide Out