- Central Processing Unit is dedicated to Sheffield's history. Founder Chris Smith grew up there, and his label's music and design is inspired by the city's history of bleep techno and pioneering labels like Warp. But up until now, CPU has never hosted a Sheffield artist in one of its striking black-and-white sleeves. 96 Back, AKA Evan Majumdar-Swift, is the first. His father, Matt Swift, was one of the minds behind legendary Sheffield party Jive Turkey. Provisional Electronics is actually his first release, supplying four retrofuturist pieces of electro and bleep.
That said, only "050" feels particularly retro-minded, with trebly drum sounds and a pitched-down vocal. Its textures are dirtier than the gleaming acid lines on "000" or the breezy chiptune melody on "100," a track that recalls the catchier side of bleep techno. CPU's signature melancholic style of IDM-inflected electro comes to life on "085," the EP's standout tune. The beat zips back and forth like a game of pong as beautifully textured synths ripple around it. Moments like this show that Central Processing Unit doesn't just represent the history of Sheffield, but also its future.
TracklistA1 000
A2 050
B1 085
B2 100