- The sound of someone pouring their heart and soul into club tracks.
- The new EP by Russell E.L. Butler had me hooked at Emotional Bangers Only. Its four tracks, which the Bermudian artist says are about "depression, PTSD, delivery food, and revolutionary action," not only fit the description beautifully, but also have their own striking titles that offer glimpses into Butler's world. "I Haven't Been OK For A Long Time," a pacy roller with tender synths and a thrumming bassline, is the sound of someone pouring their heart and soul into a club track. "Infinite Depression Loop," the EP's other standout, has a similar thing going on: thick bass and skippy breakbeats thunder beneath a fever of stirring notes and chords. The urge to hear both cuts on a big soundsystem is very real.
The rest of the EP is less intense and more experimental. On "It's A Flex To Cry In Another Country I GUESS," Butler finds a sweet spot between footwork and future garage, layering spliced vocals over broken drums that pitter-patter rather than thump. The rattlesnake snares are particularly great. "Why We War Dub," which clocks in at nearly ten minutes, is a sparse dub cut screaming out for a vocal cameo by Paul St. Hilaire, AKA Tikiman, of Rhythm & Sound fame. I can hear it now, his soothing tones falling away just as the track's gorgeous cascading melody unfurls.
Tracklist01. I Haven't Been OK For A Long Time
02. Infinite Depression Loop
03. It's A Flex To Cry In Another Country I GUESS
04. Why We War Dub