Wednesday 1 June 2016

Animat 'Side By Side E.P.' Review





Artist: Animat




Title: Side By Side E.P.




Label: Dubmission Records




Released: 3rd June








It appears that Animat have really gone to town when it comes to releases this year. This E.P. contains five fresh tracks and places more focus on the Dub Reggae than the others I've heard.


The E.P. commences with 'Chicken and Egg' which is pretty much a standard Dub Reggae piece with a heavy kick drum and lots of reverb. However, there's a nice melodic touch which sets it apart with a little identity of it's own. Moving on 'Let The World Spin' once again delivers a traditional sounding track, although this time with delayed horn, melodica and guitar chords.


Things change somewhat with 'Countermove' there's more of an IDM feel and a touch of post-punk guitar in the intro while the main body constantly flows between dubbed out the guitars and airy synth sections that lighten the mood with plenty of intersections. At this point they are definitely grabbing my attention. Now we reach the title track whose intro has a sequenced synth loop before more post-punk guitar is added and the vocal monologue employed at which point spacey strings rise and fall amidst the dub. The E.P. comes to a close with 'September Falls' with lovely synth tones that start to echo before the guitar licks commence to provide an overall chilled dub.


As you can probably gather from my words above this E.P. begins in a traditional fashion and although they are good pieces it's nothing new. You could also argue the same with the post-punk style dubs but I feel there is far more originality about these pieces. It's also worth noting this is a very bass heavy release that needs to be aired on proper speakers I would imagine lap-top or phone speakers will just distort.


Reviewed by Woodzee.


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