From his early bass-imbued efforts for Hessle Audio and R&S onto his most recent big-room burners on Ternesc, Jamie Roberts has always shown more interest for craggy, raised patterns rather than progressive momentums and upright motifs, crafting some of the most idiosyncratic drumwork in contemporary techno music.
Cloaked under the moniker of Bored Young Adults for his debut on The Trilogy Tapes – after a stunning contribution to Hinge Finger four years ago, Roberts dishes out three forcible yet non-dramatic cuts, shining forth stronger through their masterful arrangements, incisiveness and deadeye precision.
"Jamie Roberts has always shown more interest for craggy, raised patterns rather than progressive momentums and upright motifs, crafting some of the most idiosyncratic drumwork in contemporary techno music"
The title-track moves slow but digs deep, as Roberts lets loose on the intricate modular science he acquired through his various experiments alongside Surgeon and Pariah as Trade and Karenn, tracing hypnotic sequences of phased arpeggio over tenuous percussions and eerie pads. A particularly impressive combination of unruffled vigor and high-strung melodic sensitiveness.
‘Check Up From The Neck Up‘ sets on a more driving, martial tempo – sitting closer to Blawan’s standard blend of screwed-up metronomic tick-tock and rumpled folds, subtly seasoning each phrase with well-placed shifts and malevolent droney emphasis, the difference lying in his pared-down palette and ability to cling to it without losing any strength in the battle.
"Blawan essentialised the power of his punchy floor breakers into compact tablets, like a freeze-dried version of his 'old' self"
Ending this impeccable treat, ‘But We Need This Bench‘ finds Roberts exploring more spacious synth’y grounds, patching up daisy chains of high-pitched chimes and hoarse sub fluxion as bouncy bass curls pump the tune back to the surface and expansive pads nicely dissolve the grey haze that built up throughout the track.
No need to rack up bulky kicks and ruthless bass swells to turn up the heat, ‘Shy Dancers on Bungalowdorf Beach‘ is a tranquil display of power, each bullet reaching its destination effortlessly. Blawan essentialised the power of his punchy floor breakers into compact tablets, like a freeze-dried version of his ‘old’ self. Massive in all its aspects.
Shy Dancers On Bungalowdorf Beach is out now, order a vinyl copy from Juno.
TRACKLIST
A1. Shy Dancers On Bungalowdorf Beach
B1. Check Up From The Neck Up
B2. But We Need This Bench
Discover more about Bored Young Adults and The Trilogy Tapes on Inverted Audio.