Infrasonics boss Spatial is proving to be as canny a selector as he is inspired a producer with this second double-header 12" on the label, pitting new boy XXXY up against cocksure second-former Ike Release. Continuing the ride on UK-centric sub bass vibrations, XXXY ventures into 130bpm territory with two house-funky-2step-wtvr mashups, while Ike continues his sonic exploration of the Berlin-London trajectory as presaged in his debut release for Infrasonics last year. With the four-track 'Infra12002' EP, Infrasonics contributes its own reaserch to the investigation by an innovative wave of UK-focussed producers who are captialising on the atemporal history of dance as documented through the internet, taking elements of past, present and future to recontextualise into their own unique incarnation of bass driven electronic dance music. XXXY's filtered snare introduces the record with anthem-in-waiting 'Blue Flashing Lights', before dropping into bashy rhythm driven by a beckoning sub and his own minimal aesthetic. The pattern evolves into a 4x4 groove as the track gains momentum, the bass figure modulates pitch and the responding lazer synth adds resolution, as a broken beat pattern and vocal cuts layer and synths build and swirl. The bright chords opening 'Know You' introduce a more optimistic sonic pallete on the second track, with an offbeat snare and overall vibe sat somewhere between Roska and Kenny Larkin. The sub-bass emerges to ground the track firmly within LDN's reach as subtle layers of percussion build with congas, bells and shakers introducing the break, before a more intense bass kicks the cut up a gear. Ike Release starts his side with the swirling pad and 2-step groove of 'Iridescent' before dropping a heads-down sub and unleashing a killer groove. A syncopation of well placed percussion follows a similar trajectory to recent James Blake or Ramadanman releases but the spiky reversed synths provide as much reference to Detroit as they do to Berlin - his current residence. In 'Natural Manipulation' Ike uses layers of delayed synths to provide a backdrop of 5am Berghain textures that swirl around a pulsating, warm, driving sub and stepping broken groove that shuffles effortlessly through the duration of the track, highlighting a production style that is innately danceable. DJs across the board are already showing support for these tracks, including Ross Allen, Ben UFO, Hot City, Mosca, T++, Scuba, Appleblim, Dave Q, and Incyde. Mastered and cut with the eye of a royal jeweller by Jason at Transition Studio.
