- London producer Paleman is back on Loefah's label with two stark drum tracks bent into snappy electro angles. They may not have the star quality of early label anthems like "Sicko Cell" or "Swims," but they take cues from the same playbook—and to enormous effect. Both cuts demonstrate a strong grasp of the laws of tension and release, letting pressure build in the ample negative space of intros and breakdowns. They tease with a game of build-and-drop, even as they sidestep the formula's clichés.
On the ultra-minimalist "Yrs Ago," everything is dialed in—not one misplaced hi-hat or sweep of white noise. But the rhythms are also irregular, with huge 808 kicks striking at strange intervals under the steady automaton roll of some abused toms. "Animus" also references the classic Swamp 81 sound. It's deceptively simple, with razor-sharp sound design and a rich spaciousness that makes even simple arpeggios feel special. Neither track is a revelation, but both have enough style and grace to make a memorable dent in the label's catalogue.
TracklistA Yrs Ago
B Animus