In the last 100 days before 2020, I'll be counting down by doing a retrospective of some of the classic releases/EPs of this decade, and maybe a few lesser known gems. Expect broken beats, some leftfield electronics and the odd cheesy banger :)
(2017, Gobstopper Records)
A young geezer sits on a metal staircase with a Red Stripe and ciggy in hand. Superimposed over this image is a chained Rottweiler, and circling this, the words London Ambient: the title of today’s EP. Usually I’m not into sleeves featuring the artist’s image, but in this case, I make an exception – the sleeve is a bang on representation of London Ambient’s sound and attitude, produced by London-based grime experimentalist Loom.
‘Ambient’ doesn’t refer to actual ambient music in this case (though there is some on the EP) – really, it alludes to the music’s nostalgia and mythologizing of the history of London rave music. Rather than honing in on one specific sound or era, however, it effortlessly incorporates a number of them, namely hardcore, bass and acid house. The main body of this release is very dancefloor-focussed, but there are leftfield, reflective elements that crop up in even in this EP’s most banging moments.
Of the club songs, ‘Dog In The Fight’ is a highlight, complete with gritty hi-hats and claps that give added energy to its 303 lead and broken beat. Even more of a standout is ‘Saturday Job At Laser Quest’, which largely revolves around a brilliantly garish bassline, but breaks down into mysterious pads and a ridiculously stretched vocal. These elements don’t sound entirely out of place in a dark garage song, but they’re elongated to an almost hypnagogic effect. When that bassline returns, you’ve almost forgotten what you’re listening to. On the ambient side, ‘Heavy Glow’ creates a sense of anticipation and drama with pads that are accentuated by horns and stabs. Given that London Ambient largely focuses on straight rave music, it’s a remarkably well rounded, conceptual and at times introspective EP.
‘Ambient’ doesn’t refer to actual ambient music in this case (though there is some on the EP) – really, it alludes to the music’s nostalgia and mythologizing of the history of London rave music. Rather than honing in on one specific sound or era, however, it effortlessly incorporates a number of them, namely hardcore, bass and acid house. The main body of this release is very dancefloor-focussed, but there are leftfield, reflective elements that crop up in even in this EP’s most banging moments.
Of the club songs, ‘Dog In The Fight’ is a highlight, complete with gritty hi-hats and claps that give added energy to its 303 lead and broken beat. Even more of a standout is ‘Saturday Job At Laser Quest’, which largely revolves around a brilliantly garish bassline, but breaks down into mysterious pads and a ridiculously stretched vocal. These elements don’t sound entirely out of place in a dark garage song, but they’re elongated to an almost hypnagogic effect. When that bassline returns, you’ve almost forgotten what you’re listening to. On the ambient side, ‘Heavy Glow’ creates a sense of anticipation and drama with pads that are accentuated by horns and stabs. Given that London Ambient largely focuses on straight rave music, it’s a remarkably well rounded, conceptual and at times introspective EP.
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