Yesterday we went a little off piste in discussing the virtue’s, or on occasion lack of, when it comes to reading electronic music reviews. As with any trip outside the prescribed boundaries of safety there is always the potential for a painful fall or an exhilarating rush of freedom, naturally we’re hoping that the following review of Falty DL‘s latest release via his Blueberry Recordings glides smoothly into the latter…
Ametsub is not an artist we have previously been aware of but with Falty DL getting behind his music he quickly became someone we wanted to investigate further. Hailing from Tokyo his beats have that intangible almost mythical quality that is often associated with his home city. As you listen to his music you can almost visualise the cities bustling menagerie of people, lights, urban sprawl and organised chaos as beats and synth work ebb and flow with varying intensities of rhythm and colour. To put the headphones on and immerse yourself in Ametsub’s world is a rewarding and intoxicating experience of musical narrative. If you have ever seen the film ‘Lost In Translation’ Ametsub music is the soundtrack that could have been, with the films stunning cinematography visually queuing what his music appears to communicate; beauty, conflict, joy sadness and hope…
For those of you looking for a comparison we would argue that Ametsub’s creations rank alongside a pre-clubbing Four Tet, Jon Hopkins, Actress, Bonobo, Gold Panda and the like, but it should be noted he is none of these artists, he’s his own man who should appeal to those of you who like your electronic beats slightly more left of centre. Having said that like Jon Hopkins ‘Open Eye Signal‘ and Four Tet’s more recent output he has moments of stepping out of the shadows and exploring the dance floor, crafting the sort of melodic structures you could imagine might even tempt a Mathew Jonson into a House style hands in the air show of appreciation. Precipice Drive is one such moment.
Although Precipice Drive was technically released within Ametsub’s 2012 LP ‘All Is Silence’ this is a fully extended 12″ mix that firmly propels the music from the thinking mans headphones toward the dancefloor. Four to the floor beats hypnotically groove alongside the tracks lead hook, with simple percussion providing additional head nod as the main hook pulses and contorts with a measured intensity that will have the dance floor mesmerized in the right hands. We can’t recommend this highly enough…
Ametsub – Sky Dropping EP (Blueberry Recordings) Due May 13th includes Falty DL remix.