Pace Yourself レコード& CD

Review: Jesse Rae's back catalogue is rather an epic one and now we're treated to some key tracks from it with this new and limited 12" via Pace Yourself. The title cut opens up with some coy, playful funk that is sure to win over any newcomers. 'Virtual U' then flip the script with a lo-fi and downbeat sound, scratchy melodies and distant prog guitar licks all topped with some smoked word and soulful musings. 'Rusha is another esoteric sound that's a bit like George Clinton on acid doing house music. 'Switch Tae U' is an 80s throwback jam with swaggering Soul II Soul-style grooves and carefree vocals.

Review: Club culture can be curiously misled at times. While the focus is so often on breakdowns, in reality it's the hypnosis of looped drums and hi hats that often captures our imagination. And while belters frequently steal the limelight, in doing so we're at risk of forgetting the unifying, open-armed foundations that are found in everything from techno to hardcore to jungle and beyond. Brutal Flowers certainly makes a strong case for rethinking priorities. "A no-airs and graces piece of cool future-proof ambience" the label puts it. We'd agree. YS's stunning record seems to speak to our inner dreams of what rave has been and could still be, it hits nail-on-head in turning the emotions of surreal walks home post-club with friends into beautiful, understated yet grand synth overtures. It never forgets that heads down and ethereality are not opposites, but instead two halves of the same passion, and thoughtfulness is really the only secret ingredient in the dance music spectrum.