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Orphan101 is, like many others, seemingly trying to discredit the theory that
dance-music producers benefit from honing their craft in one specific genre (or
sub-genre, even). As with nearly all emerging dubstep producers at the moment, Orphan101 isn’t satisfied with making straight-forward
dubstep cuts, but rather offers something off-kilter from the established sound. Perhaps it’s part of the backlash against dubstep embracing the pop-charts, or perhaps its because the likes of Joy Orbison and Mount Kimbie have demonstrated how diverse and successful ‘post-dubstep’ can be; either way this eclectic movement in bass continues to be making interesting waves across a pool of new-talent.
Into You is no exception from the above. The title track opens the EP with
a strong sense of character: breezy techno vibes balance a rumbling bass that streams
through a clattering of vocal samples and percussion. An oddball drop at the
five minute mark, where everything is stripped back, is redeemed by a
monstrous re-introduction of the bass guaranteed to get bodies moving across the floor. A solid, memorable track.
Barraca is the nearest thing to dubstep on the EP –
it's all about the slow tribal drums (a la Shackleton), tingling cymbals and spooky
images of dereliction and dystopia. Effective vocals complete the package, and make
for a track that will be rinsed by that certain type of moody dubstep DJ in the
up-and-coming months.
Final track Typical completes the off-kilter trilogy,
with low quiet claps bouncing into a violent orchestra of blips and chirps, all
set against a smooth unobtrusive bass. Perhaps not quite as interesting as it
believes it is (this is true of the whole release), it's certainly a provocative
slice of experimental bass music, and caps an EP from a producer who I think we
will be hearing lots more from this year.