- Going off the Critical releases by Ivy Lab (AKA Sabre, Stray, Halogenix), the trio sounded like they're courting a compromise. Those EPs kept largely to what they know, with just a shot of the more acquired halftime stuff snuck into the mix. That changed last year, when they launched 20/20 LDN with a 16-track mixtape that featured nothing but hybrid bass music. Now there's Fortuna, another experimental and fully non-drum & bass release, complete with appearances from Alix Perez, NTS Radio's Tim Parker and vocalist Roses Gabor.
Unfortunately, the results are very hit and miss. "Can't Say No" is a strong start, with Gabor giving Ivy Lab's gloomy, purple-toned production a smouldering club-pop dimension. "Salt Toffee" does decent work with its stripped-down and techy sound. It stands apart from the rest of the EP for being genuinely menacing. By comparison, "Fortuna" and "Spooky Dub" are too theatrical, feeling counterfeit and kind of cheesy. Cheesiest of all, however, is "Berlusconi": the saxophone and moaning female vocal is a toxic combination that mars anything credible going on. "U Smart," featuring Tim Parker, is a more compelling and colourful counterpoint with bright, bubbly synths and screwy beats. It's a shame there's not more of that inventiveness on Fortuna.
TracklistA1 Can't Say No feat. Roses Gabor
A2 Fortuna feat. Alix Perez
A3 Salt Toffee
B1 U Smart feat. Tim Parker
B2 Spooky Dub
B3 Berlusconi