- From the gritty Glasgow grid and cobbled Edinburgh streets to a Sonar 2010 takeover, Scotland's LuckyMe crew have made something of a mass sprint to the forefront of cutting edge electronic music. But behind the slickly designed brand and artists such as Hudson Mohawke, Mike Slott and Rustie, stand a duo—DomSum & Martyn Flyn, AKA The Blessings—who haven't released a thing.
Until now, that is. The seventh release on Kindred Spirits beats-focused offshoot, Nod Navigators, sees the LuckyMe creative honchos flexing their own music making prowess. Galaxy High kicks off with the curious anticipation of "Arisee Henson"; a blissful folky breeze through the Teddy Riley-produced New Jack Swing that many of today's beats acts look to as a major source of inspiration. When the grandeur of "Faberge" hits, though, it whips up the image of people bursting into movement to the catchy distorted vocals and uplifting warble drive.
While "Arisse Henson" gently borrows from NJS, "Keith Sweats" is an out-and-out homage to one of the leading figures of the movement, haunting and harrowing spacey synths and vocals resounding throughout. Exotically titled and multi-referenced "Moranis Riding Ants" and "Ibaseta" use the innocence and uplift of acid house as a spine, adding a transparent skin of garage and—in the latter's case—comic '90s hip-hop. Galaxy High closes with the epic "Hot Song" which, with its '90s "got me burning" vocal and extended breakdown puts a euphoric lid on the record.
An all together different proposition from their label mates, The Blessings have created an EP which doesn't go for the peak time. Although there are references to the common ground R&B influences, Galaxy High plays closer attention to folk and cosmic sounds. Pleasant to listen to at day or night, it's among the most musical releases from the beats scene you'll hear all year.
TracklistA1 Arissee Henson
A2 Faberge
A3 Moranis Riding Ants
B1 Keith Sweats
B2 Ibaseta
B3 Hot Song