It’s been a good year for Don’t Be Afraid, Semtek’s London-based label. In February they unleashed the “Love Sceptre” EP from Photonz, a month before Mr Beatnick’s glorious “Sun Goddess” EP surfaced. Then they dropped some seasonal heat in the shape of two asparagus-inspired 12″s for Record Store Day, before gifting us a free EP from the three aforementioned acts and new signing Claws For?, who was also responsible for “Profumo”, the label’s first 10″ release. Most recently DBA were behind a stellar takeover in the hallowed hall of the Boiler Room. Next on the agenda is a release from Detroit-based Manuel Gonzales under the MGUN moniker. Gonzales, who’s previously released with Kyle Hall as NSNT PRJT and dropped a 12″ on Wild Oats this year, has assembled four wildly different tracks for his EP on one of the most consistent labels out there right now.
Stream: Manuel Gonzales – WOMGUN01
“The Upstairs Apt.” EP opens with “Let Conversation Take Place“, a marvellous slice of house music, kicking hard but laden with mellifluous synths. Disembodied moans and utterances collide with searing mechanical hi-hats that cut right through the track, all of which gives way to a delicious acid squelch that takes it from the skies above to the dark and dirty basement of your favourite club. It’s a serious “reach for the lasers” affair, one that you really wish would go on forever. Quite the opener, one that welcomes you into this Upstairs Apartment with open arms. “Gas Chamber” is unexpectedly relentless, taking things up a notch or seven to a hard-nosed 138bpm. Confusedly meandering synths fly about the place while a single-minded kick-drum bangs hard like a metronome. No-nonsense stuff, a sort of regimented rubato, it’s a whole different world to its predecessor.
On the flip we start with “Westerns“, a droning pattern of beatless oddness. It’s a charming yet unsettling piece, just under three minutes, one which flits between smooth patterns and sharp edges. It’s a sweet relief, a breath of fresh air after the frenzy of “Gas Chamber”. Closer “Files React” is a dark groove, replacing glory and fury with an unfettered anxiety. Acid squeaks and crashes blend with gently patterned synths that fall like raindrops, while an unforgiving hum that sounds like a generator drones underneath. Imagine that this is the power supply keeping the party going upstairs. The track calls to mind the nervous energy of Lily’s “Dollen Haze” from the first Spargel Trax EP, a possible hint to the producer behind that particular gem. When that hum comes to an end it’s all to easy to just head back to the start, but that’s what you want from an EP, right? MGUN and Don’t Be Afraid have a winner on their hands with this and can be certain of repeated visits upstairs once it drops.
Stream: MGUN – The Upstairs Apt. EP
MGUN – The Upstairs Apt. EP is released on November 24. Pre-order and check previews here.
