Review- Untold R&S 1009

R&S are coming at 2010 hard.  Being a label of some pedigree and prestige in the dance world they could probably expect to get the finest cuts from producers sending them material, but their form this year goes way beyond that, and I suspect it has a fair amount to do with the appointment of both a new label manager and an A&R (more about that here) who have clearly got their collective fingers firmly on the pulse. 

Following on from essential releases from Pariah, Model 500, James Blake and Space Dimension Controller R&S 1009 comes from Hemlock boss Jack Dunning, AKA Untold.  'Stereo Freeze' and 'Mass Dreams Of The Future' both bear some sonic resemblance to the R&S of old in the frantic energy and busy synth lines, but both tunes are given a solid backbone by Untold's classic, stabbing basslines.

'Stereo Freeze' is old school electro revitalised for todays dancefloors, building quickly to a dizzying height before dropping into a tumultuous, pulsing burst of energy, familiar to anyone who's witnessed an Untold tune destroy a dance before.  Acid basslines and stabbing chords intersect the pace, hisses and clunks working together breathlessly to create a post Detroit soundscape. 

'Mass Dreams Of The Future' eases up slightly, allowing more space to focus on the beautifully constructed rave keys and subtle sub bass.  As to be expected, tight production allows for the perfect amount of space in the mix, buzzing synths sit just right above a shuffling beat, kept pacy by a tight percussive backing.

Release date is 8th November, check out audio on Chemical.