Tag Archives: Critical Music

Subtension – Binary Vol. 6 [Critical Music]

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Critical’s digital only Binary imprint returns for their 6th instalment and this time it’s Solvakian techstep producer Subtension on the buttons. The EP follows on from Subtension’s last release for Renegade Hardware, further exploring his innovative trap-tech fusion. While the influence of trap and footwork on D&B is already becoming well trodden ground fewer producers are blending it with the harder edged techstep and neurofunk stylings and the result is pretty damn ravey.

There’s still space for a more traditional rollout on chunky low end damager No Worries and closing track What Do You Want provides a pleasant surprise with a hefty dose of disco’n’bass! Vibes all round. Check out the clips below and grab this one from the Critical Store right now.

Kasra & Enei – Inside The Box [Critical Music]

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Critical’s latest sees label boss Kasra teaming up with Russian production stalwart Enei for an EP of varied tracks tied together by that heavyweight Critical sound. Kicking off with the stomping 85BPM hip-hop of Inside The Box, seguing into minimal halftime on Words and then heading for rolling territory on the excellent DRS-vocaled Overthinking, they clearly didn’t want this EP to fall into any obvious sub-genre pigeon-holes.

Out into the digital exclusives we’re treated to more dark minimalism on Arcana followed by a straight up tech thumper on Greed, which is sure to be smashing up the dance over the coming weeks. Another great release from one of the most influential labels in the scene – hit up the Critical store to grab this on vinyl and digital right now.

Posij – Binary Vol. 5 [Critical Music]

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Dutch artist Posij supplies the fifth instalment of Critical’s new digital only Binary imprint, serving up four crisp, futuristic tracks for Kasra’s ever-impressive stable.

The EP strikes a nice balance between atmosphere and dancefloor heft, with lead track Techplant keeping things punchy but restrained and closing track Rover exploring some cracking drum edits against a backdrop of creepy atmospheres.

Spin and Change meanwhile provide worthy peaktime dancefloor fodder to give the EP something for everyone. Noisia’s influence can be heard filtering through these tracks, though thankfully they aren’t similar enough to feel derivative, and the level of stomp is difficult to argue with!

As usual you can grab this one from the Critical Store; check out the clips and get to getting!

MEF:LAB EP [Critical Music]

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Critical return with two fresh new remixes which you’ll likely have heard if you’ve been at a Critical Sound event recently. Mefjus takes the gold here with a thundering mix of Ivy Lab’s Sunday Crunk; all the swagger of the original with plenty of extra bass growl and some tasty little drum rolls for extra energy.

Ivy Lab return the favour with a remix of Blame You, blending the soulful vocal elements with chunky rolling tech and a hint of funk in the breaks for good measure.

As usual you can pick this up on vinyl or digital via the Critical Store where you can also find a deluxe bundle featuring stickers and slipmats! Move fast if you’re after this on wax; we can’t see copies hanging around on the shelves for long.

Ivy Lab – Twenty Questions EP [Critical Music]

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The unmistakeable production trio that is Ivy Lab are back with another fine selection for Critical Music, and they’re continuing to push their sound in all the right directions. As you’d expect, there are a couple of superb deep rollers (of which Gomeisa is the Dojo favourite), but there’s also a meaty slab of dark tech in the form of Forex, which sounds like a love letter to the early Virus Recordings sound.

The rest of the EP is given over to the team’s explorations in crunked up, half-time, hip-hop’n’bass. The D&B purists are doubtless gonna hate it, but I challenge anyone hearing the likes of Two By Two in the dance not to bust out a mad swagger! To round things out there’s fantastic discotronic remix of Live On Your Smile from El Train and an unusually deep mix of Slinky from the joyously unpredictable Sam Binga. Check out the clips below and hit up the Critical Store to grab this on vinyl or digital now; full release drops from March 9th.

Sam Binga – Nuh Chat EP [Critical Music]

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New beats from Binga for Critical mean many things to many people; the man’s unusual take on the 170 sound (and indeed Redders’ vocal stylings) have proved controversial among followers of the scene, some decrying the style as gimmicky or not true D&B while others praise the fun loving vibe and general innovation. Here at the Dojo we fall into the latter camp; anything pushing the boundaries of this music we love can only be a good thing.

The latest round of beats sees two new MC led cuts featuring Redders and two new instrumentals, plus a bonus Enei remix of Lef Dem. The latter proves pretty disappointing, taking the playful vibe of the original and smashing it against a brick wall with a rather unsubtle dose of amens and bass. The rest of the EP however proves much more entertaining, even if the patois/jungle/grime combo of the tracks with Redders is beginning to feel a little cookie cutter. The highlight in our eyes is the joyously swung Elastic, with its big enthusiastic synths and unusual drum groove. Check out the clips below and make up your own mind; this one’s out right now on vinyl and digital at the Critical Store.

Do They Know It’s #Critmas? [Critical Music]

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If you feel like doing something charitable this festive season (and you think that Bob Geldof should do one) then Critical Music have the answer! Kasra’s label have collected together a full album of tracks from the label’s usual suspects and all you have to do to get your mits on it is head over here and donate some money to Oxfam.

The LP features a selection of stomping new tracks from Enei, Mefjus, Foreign Concept, Halogenix, Emperor, Kasra, Hyroglifics and Klax, and the quality is every bit as high as you’d expect from the Critical stable. Check out the clips below and give generously!

Billain – Binary Vol. 3 [Critical Music]

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Bosnian neurofunk producer Billain steps up to deliver the third instalment in Critical’s digital only “Binary” series, with three slices of heavy hitting D&B primed for the dancefloor. Macula opens the salvo with a punchy, rolling break and morphing bass modulations combined into a non-stop assault on the senses; not for the faint of heart!

Subduction follows suit, keeping the energy levels high with a mean, distorted bassline and another pedal-to-the-metal break, leaving only Conflicted to explore less aggressive territory with its choppy drumstep stylings. The production quality on show on the tracks is unbelievable (as usual for Billain) – check out the clips below and grab this one from the Critical Store now.

Klax – Binary Vol. 2 [Critical Music]

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Critical continue their Binary series with a brand new three track EP from Brighton trio Klax. The boys only have a small handful of releases but with output on Renegade Hardware and now Critical expect big things in the future.

The EP showcases a knack for clean but hefty techstep, with crisp drums, dirty bass and plenty of groove. All the tracks are well worthy of your attention but Cornerstone stood out for me for pure weight and vibe; rolling business! Check out the clips below and grab this from the Critical Store now.

Foreign Concept – Make Meals EP [Critical Music]

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Foreign Concept lands with a new EP on Critical Music featuring a fair variety of styles. Title track Make Meals is sure to garner plenty of attention as the most unusual work on the release, but for me it wears it’s hip-hop and trap influences a little too obviously on it’s sleeve, and the end result is big and boomy but not that interesting.

The EP comes into it’s own elsewhere, with beautiful liquid roller Endless Fade and huge stomping techstepper The Volks proving the highlights. There’s also a solid (if a little tame) remix of Falling Stars from labelmate Hyroglifics, and an autonomic-esque Klax collaboration in the form of Ask Yourself. A mixed bag then, but with some gems; check out the clips below and grab this one from Beatport or the Critical Store now!