

There's not much to these three tracks. Not in material—some percussion, a few chords and a bassline tend to suffice—nor in message, which is the musical equivalent of a gentle hug. This unassuming quality might be the record's greatest asset. "Feelings" shuffles along without a care in the world, its percussion and velvety chords occasionally smeared with delay or made to detonate in tiny echo-chamber explosions. Every now and then the bass skips coquettishly out of its two-note groove, but it always steps politely back in line. "Ozone" might be even better, its yet-looser swing accentuated with a spiky bass guitar lick. The live-sounding drums recall a Mood Hut classic, Jack J's Looking Forward To You, and the two tracks share a sense of summery insouciance. On "Place" Local Artist straightens out the swing but smudges the synths up a treat. There's little to disturb its hypnotic groove save for a voice, presumably his own, which can sometimes be heard humming idly along. If it's trying to imitate the liquid bassline, it's not doing a great job. Fortunately, in Local Artist's world, your best is always good enough.
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Published /
Sun / 3 May 2015 -
Words /
Angus Finlayson -
Tracklist /
A1 Feelings (Digital Dub)
A2 Ozone
B1 Place I
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