2010 looks set to be the year that Hotflush truly claim dubstep as their own. After a series of impressive releases including the Mount Kimbie remixes and label boss Scuba’s full length “Triangulation”, as well as a prolific back catalogue of important singles, (Joy Orbison’s 2009 crossover Hyph Myngo, anyone?) Paul Rose’s label really is looking solid. Add to that the upcoming Mount Kimbie debut LP and this EP from Sepalcure, and Hotflush in 2010 really is a force to be reckoned with.
“Love Pressure EP” sees Travis Stewart and Praveen Scharma create a four track EP that slots in neatly somewhere between the near household name of Joy Orbison and up and coming hotshots Mount Kimbie. Granted, cuts like “Love Pressure” and “The Warning” aren’t a million miles away from the likes of Burial, but it’s best not to dive in with the enigmatic producer in the back of your mind, lest ye be disappointed in finding something much more club orientated.
The title track is a sterling example of what to expect from the rest of the EP; It lays on shimmering synths and relaxing two step beats nicely to create a track that will grow and grow on you, at first appearing welcome background music but quickly turning into an essential soundtrack to your daily activities. The Joy Orbison-esque cut of “Down” tells much the same story, though the influences are worn a little more loosely on sleeves this time round. This isn’t a flaw, and on the contrary makes it a more accessible piece; though it still culminates in a hazy tale of late night clubbing nostalgia. As with the rest of the EP, samples of scorned divas are spliced throughout to eerie results. “Every Day Of My Life” is a more wistful piece, all samples used to haunting effect, whilst the synths take a back seat to the bass and two step drums.
Final track “The Warning” is probably the most accessible track on Love Pressure, taking a much more linear approach to its’ song structure. “Greed, racism, insanity/these are the things that won’t fly.” It’s a bit more grown up than, “Hot Chip will break your legs”. The uplifting piano chords also give the closing track a sense of hope to avoid Love Pressure sounding too claustrophobic, and all in all it’s a bow out track that hits all the right notes.
Love Pressure is a superb debut EP, combining the best parts of the Hotflush sound with influences that are more likely to draw in new listeners. It doesn’t quite reach the same soaring highs (or indeed, lows) that producers like Mount Kimbie or even Burial do, but it doesn’t necessarily sound like it’s trying to. This is intelligent, introspective dubstep music.
*Edit* which is apparently being referred to as lovestep. Shite buzz-tag or not, Love Pressure EP is fresh, exciting, sinister and evocative electronic music. Get on that shit.
[rating:7.5/10]
