- It's hard to trust a record label when the vast majority of their output is from one person. But look back into the annals of discogs and you'll discover the Henry Maldonado (aka Son of Sound) isn't some dance music self-publicist – his CV includes work on Strictly Rhythm, MAW and King Street Sounds.
Balearic and old-school disco is Maldonado's game these days under his Son of Sound alias. And the Trial By Fire EP is yet another foray to the edges of good taste. The percussion-heavy 'Ever After Hours' takes a while to fully reveal itself—Maldonado finally drops a bassline more than three minutes into the proceedings—but once it does, the unison melody/bass enhance the track's muscularity. 'The Yes & No', on the other hand, wastes no time with its disembodied "ha” sample and epic synth line, tipping its hat to the Balearic Islands. It's the clear highlight here.
'Did I Hear Movement?' makes up the entirety of the B-side and disappoints in comparison. Undecided between disco drums, a choppy guitar and mellow synths, it isn't until the track enters its second half that things begin to cohere. The extended percussion and synth break give time to hear how everything each part interlocks without the intrusive guitar entering into the picture—for a while at least. Stick with the A-side on this one, though, and you can't go wrong.
TracklistA1 Ever After Hours
A2 The Yes & No
B Did I Hear Movement?