Global Underground

Asymmetric chief Inigo Kennedy returns to his label with a superb five track EP 'Grey Matter'. 'Pocket Rocket' opens the EP and heads directly for the dark of the night; a punchy four to the floor, energetic stabs, skittering percussion, sizzling rides and filter drops throughout, strobes and smoke recommended. Second track, 'Butterfingers', layers a heavy off-beat rhythm with alternating pads brimming with yearning and melancholy. Up next is 'Saturnine' which sets a solid kick and intriguing plucking motif against a sombre string section and delicate hats, which come and go in turn. 'Grey Matter' dips firmly into drum and bass territory but with a characteristic Kennedy edge in its FM bass and melodic riffing. Closing the release, 'ATC', takes the tempo down and delivers a mysterious synth layered ode to air traffic control.

Asymmetric boss Inigo Kennedy returns to his label with a diverse five track EP 'The Unbending'. Title track 'The Unbending' opens the EP and tips its hat in the direction of Detroit; a timeless combination of Roland drum machines and synth stabs that drops a typical Kennedy melodic punctuation mark along the way. The second track, 'Shields Up', is full to the brim with pulsing layers of synths, energetic off-beat rhythms and shuffling percussion. 'Silver Linings' keeps to the off-beat design but with more of a bass-driven melodic line, underpinned by a sombre drone and a dusting of pitched-up sprinkles. Next up, 'Overlap', delivers multiple layers of animated synth work cemented by a steady kick; an intriguing track that is always on the move. Closing the release, 'Slow Burn' takes the tempo down slightly but certainly sticks to the floor albeit in a house-like direction; the bass synth, playful lead and occasional vocal-like stabs paint their picture with ease.