Based out of Brooklyn, Safer At Night, the dark, sexy sister-label of Trouble & Bass, has graced us with Walls EP, their seventh release. There have been several amazing events related to Trouble & Bass at Verboten and Good Life, and there will certainly be more. Trouble & Bass and Safer At Night are run by Curses (formerly Drop The Lime), who is bringing the sound of dark house and warehouse party music of yesteryear to the forefront. A renaissance of house music of sorts is manifesting in the borough of Brooklyn and it is gradually taking over. Safer At Night has already had stellar releases from Walker & Royce, Total Fitness, DKDS, and Curses himself.
The latest from J. Phlip and Chris Lorenzo is another true testament to Curses’ objective with Safer At Night. Walls EP has the darkest, deepest techno music you can audibly consume for dancing. J. Phlip (a.k.a. Jessica Phillippe) has been with the Dirtybird gang for sometime, and has been killing it since she got turntables for her 19th birthday. Chris Lorenzo, one half of Cause & Affect, is a Birmingham native who does not reveal much about himself, but Chris has been putting out music on Simma Black, Dirtybird, and even the electronic music label giant Ultra.
Right off the bat with the leading track the kick leads off with a steamy jungle ambiance in the back. I already feel right at home with what’s going on in “Walls.” A nearly-inaudible female voice begins to gripe and ramble on, but it is only a distraction for the build, which cuts off everything with a bang (sounding similar to a Street Fighter sample) and the bass line and low end pop right in with no delay. This is the kind of music I will never get sick of; it is that late-night dreamy house music with deep bass.
On the B-side, we are introduced to a big kick right off the bat in “Lights,” with ambient synths and pads giving it a much more crisp intro than “Walls.” The beat doesn’t stop for a break or build, but just continues to add new elements with pass and percussion until about the 1:30 mark, and a filter cuts through everything except newly established stabs. Sweeps and dark horns intensify before dropping right back into the bass line.
On the tail end of the EP is J. Phlip’s solo track “Ima,” which is very unlike the other two tracks. It is pretty fun to listen to, regardless of the fact that it is completely devoid of percussion. Slowed down rap lyrics and and synths upon synths make this a unique listen for sure. I would not be surprised if someone took this and flipped it into a drum & bass edit.
If you have not delved into Safer At Night, now is the time. Only seven releases in, it’s easy to tell they are going to continue putting out quality dance music. The American dance music renaissance is pretty appropriate for Brooklyn, since techno house has always been an American product from Detriot, but it’s very pleasing to see it being fostered in the Big Apple. Beautiful music will continue to come to those who are willing to listen.
Safer at Night
J. Phlip
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