Dominic Ridgway's Regression Media was originally set up to release his own music, but it hasn't taken long for the imprint to branch out. Always concentrating on quality, and allowing its music to take on an organic journey from producer to audience, Regression presents for its second release Dave Hoax's First Light.
Dave Hoax takes you on a trip through the 175bpm universe, reflecting his lifelong fascination in music, instruments and production. His long history of DJing and producing has seen him release music on Omni Music, Hidden Hawaii, Danger Chamber Digital, Reminiscence Audio and more, and his style has always taken in many different styles, appreciating music as a whole.
First Light is unusual, detailed and emotionally expressive, all at the same time. With a sliding, half-time beat to start things off, Dave slowly builds up the world of the track. Atmosphere, setting and depth are the overarching features, as you are taken far into the underground. Bouncing, skanking rhythms collide across open space, as the repeating drum part counteracts with sweeping synths and far-away, menacing vibes. This isn't your everyday, but curious listeners will be rewarded.
The flip sees Dyl and Dominic Ridgway teaming up for Untitled. This one pulses into life, with keys filling out the image, before more sounds are brought in by the duo of producers. An extended rush brings us to a filtered breakdown, upon which we're introduced to the weird world of Untitled. Flowing synths are added to a fluttering, stuttering beat which morphs between many different styles. Establishing itself, the tune shows off a haunting, melancholy tone, bringing in and discarding elements throughout. Thought provoking and different, this one melds drum & bass, house, techno and beyond.
RGNM002 shows off the experimental side of music perfectly, with deep, invo
Oliver Rhodes, aka Paracusia, captures a spectrum of moods from dreamy nostalgia to wiry anxiety on this EP of highly textural bass music. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 9, 2021
The word “navagraha” means “nine celestial bodies,” and the music Ancestral Voices has crafted is suitably dark, expansive, and ominous. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 19, 2019
supported by 7 fans who also own “Dave Hoax-First Light”
Before I discuss the merits of "Auto State Of Mind", one of a sudden glut of Exit EPs from the usual suspects (dBridge, Kid Drama, et al) can I just make the point that what numerous producers refer to as "liquid drum & bass" should more accurately be referred to just as "drum" (or more accurately still "shite") since it flows more like tar than liquid and the bass is either completely absent or pitched so low in the mix that it's virtually inaudible. I have no objection to a genre's teeth being whitened, but I don't then expect them all to be pulled with a pair of pliers. None of this of course applies to Kid Drama whose two tracks, originally issued late last year, are of immaculate quality. Side A's percussive thwack, resonant bass and slightly maudlin melody are masterfully intertwined while the vocal led B-side hinges on a soaring synth line and satisfyingly resonant bass that I so hope was sampled by Kid creeping into next door's garden at 3am to sample it from their over-taut washing line. Liquid gold. Nic Brown