Angry Acid / French Science

Having just celebrated it's 50th release with Photek’s ‘Closer’ 12”, Tectonic moves straight into bold new territories, introducing a new artist to the label: namely Distal from Atlanta, USA. His approach to music production is refreshingly dynamic and eclectic, taking elements of the familiar and making it sound obscure while injecting plenty of energy and dancefloor savvy throughout his productions. This first single for Tectonic brings together two very contrasting pieces of music, both in terms of tempo and attitude. ‘Angry Acid' is more like a 140bpm warehouse acid track than anything “dubstep” as we know it, sounding like some lost collaboration between Aphex Twin and Drexciya. The track pounds in with a short intro of nothing but tough unforgiving 4/4 kicks before switching to their fully weighted, bassy versions. Accompanied then by shuffling hi-hats and a face-slapping hand clap, everything holds together with a restrained but melancholic looping pad that sounds as if trapped beneath a thick layer of ice. Soon the acid line starts emerging, morphing from its relatively humble beginnings into a fully formed screaming energy force that pulses throughout the track, bringing wave after wave of rave rush ecstasy flash back. This is electronica rave music to make your hair stand on end. 'French Science' is a far more relaxed affair - less frantic and more sexy - grooving instead at a more restrained 125bpm. Blending elements of house music, R&B, slow-mo Chicago juke and then applying early 90s UK hardcore sensibilities, Distal has concocted a strange mix here that shouldn't work but really does so quite effortlessly. Loosely grooved beats combine with a room shaking sub, soulful sustained chord movements and pitched up vocal samples, delivering a lush, fluid track that fits equally comfortably on the dancefloor, booming out your car or charging out your headphones en route to the next stop. Big, bright, synthy - full of charm and alien seduction!