If you were savvy enough to check out Fiend‘s heavyweight debut on Navy Cut in 2018, you should know by now what the Bristol based producer is all about. Having built on the success of NC007 with a killer self release earlier this year, Fiend continues to grab 2020 by the horns with two high profile EPs confirmed. But before his forthcoming nuttiness on Infernal Sounds, fellow UK imprint Chord Marauders take on four of Fiend‘s high pressure, high demand cuts for ‘Glow‘ EP.
Whilst I’ve become familiar with Fiend‘s darker side, ‘Glow’ EP allows him to explore his brighter, more ‘glowing’ areas. The chilled out grooves of the opening title track are evident upon the relaxing introduction, made up of clean Foley percs, dreamy pads and vocal licks, sitting over subtle environmental soundscapes. The laid back aspects of the track continue to be enforced once the injections of smooth hits of sub-bass pressure are generously added. The following tracks continue with Fiend‘s exploration of interesting pads and melodies. But where ‘Reflections‘ remains quite minimal amongst it’s throbbing bass-lines, ‘Dream Weaver‘ heads into more energetic, groovier territories; the EP’s dance floor pleaser. Contrary to the beautiful, laid-back qualities of ‘Glow‘, the finale ‘Sentient‘ sees Fiend unleash a proper fat supernatural roller, possessing some exquisite ethereal synth work and sub frequency carnage, making it my favourite on the record.
We were warned when Fiend came through with the devastating sounds of ‘Jah Hear Me‘ and ‘Missing Link‘ on Navy Cut, his high grade skill set was there for all to appreciate. But now he’s back, not only with the intense sub-frequency pressure we’ve come to love, but with even more dynamism, sonic variety and atmospheres. Fiend has clearly armed himself with a wider range and now he’s ready to open fire.
‘Glow’ EP is out this Thursday (9th April) and available to download from the Chord Marauders Bandcamp.
Check out Fiend on Soundcloud and Twitter.
Check out Chord Marauders on Soundcloud .