A fresh EP from Mush Records shows that the now-LA-based label hasn't lost any spring in its step. Despite being only fourteen minutes long, Thavius Beck's Amber Embers Volume 1 covers a generous amount of ground, largely because each of its four tracks are dramatically different in kind.
Powered by claps and an irresistibly swinging tech-house groove, “In Excess” gets its luscious charge from severely mangled vocal treatments and a dynamic percussive attack that gives the tune a seemingly unstoppable thrust. Like some madcap blend of epic prog, tribal, and deep house, “En Route” builds a James Brown vocal loop and dizzying synth arpeggios into a Philip Glass-on-acid throwdown that's even more bulldozing than “In Excess.” “Prague to Dresden Train Delay” oozes menace in its epic marriage of swollen synths and aggressive beatsmithing, after which “Thavihaus” ends the EP with a track that's less lethal than its predecessors yet still snappy, especially with Beck focusing on chiming melodies heavy on syncopation and served up with a minimal funk pulse.
Based on this release alone, it's difficult to get a clear read on the electronic producer and multi-instrumentalist's music, but the ride's certainly scenic and engaging. It's also worth noting that Beck's already got volumes two and three ready for release, and they're scheduled to see the light of day in the next couple of months. - Textura |
