- Narratives Music has the kind of airtight aesthetic that most labels with ten releases could only dream of. A good Narratives tune marinates in its misty soundscapes, atmospheric and bold at the same time. The UK drum & bass label created its sound through a close circle of friends—namely, founders Blocks & Escher, along with Overlook and mysterious group Rhyming In Fives. Concealed Identity's Narratives debut feels conspicuous, with the young producer slotting perfectly into the roster.
As much as Narratives' style feels singular, it does have some obvious precursors: Source Direct (who, through his track of the same name, likely inspired Concealed Identity's alias) and Photek. It's Photek's method—knifing up breakbeats into lithe, abstract patterns—that sits at the heart of this EP, particularly on the dazzling A-side, "Levanter." It's expansive, with movie-score strings and horns so placid they sound like they're being played with a sigh. The dextrous drums do sudden switch-ups, sounding agile enough to make Rupert Parkes proud.
Flipside "Calavera" doesn't impress in the same way. This one is more of a mood-setter, with a soft-focus backdrop and some Ennio Morricone-style guitar flourishes. It's also striking how close it sounds to past Narratives releases, which is the EP's double-edged sword. Narratives Music 011 is more of the label's goodness, yet more of the same—not so much a new perspective as another pair of capable hands using the same tools.
TracklistA1 Levanter
B1 Calavera