- Dublin's Glacial Sound label is fast becoming one of the finest outlets for innovative new grime. Its debut came from Rabit, whose Double Dragon EP suggested the label would, in keeping with its name, pursue a subzero aesthetic. Release number two, from the London-based Murlo, suggests that things aren't that simple.
Murlo has previously produced a range of styles: this year's Adder EP for Unknown To The Unknown explored effervescent Funky and languid dancehall alongside grime; the brilliant "Ariel," in collaboration with Famous Eno, was equal parts Blunted Robots circa 2010 and present day Champion. Last Dance reflects his growing focus on grime, but it retains the flair for exuberant melodies that defines much of his work. The clue's in the name: Murlo's music, like cheap wine, is fruity, sticky and gratifyingly sweet, making for a take on grime not concerned with conflict and hardship so much as boozy good times (even if there is a lurking melancholy to a lot of it).
"Last Dance" is an archetypal Murlo earworm, all fluid synth-strings and lightning-fast pentatonic runs. As always, he's led by melodies, and the bold structure has more in common with song-form than grime's typical jackhammer loops. "Robes" and "Velvet Wall" are brisker and twitchier; the latter does the best job of balancing its melodic content against grime's angular funk. None are Murlo's best work, but they're solid all the same. Swing Ting's po-faced reworking of "Robes" switches between ragged 4x4 and oppressive halftime, while Slackk turns in a pleasingly mournful version of "Velvet Wall."
TracklistA1 Last Dance
A2 Velvet Wall
B1 Robes
B2 Robes (Swing Ting Remix)
Digital: Velvet Wall (Slackk Remix)