Dolenz provides us with a stellar selection of U.K. hiphop off the back of Golden Spike - his new EP released on Exit Records.
Following his debut project Lingua Franca, Dolenz’ latest EP offering is another intergalactic selection of tracks that feel oddly fitting for the mood of current times. Intro (Iridium) is a utopian, synth lead opener that corrodes into a frenetic culmination of distorted bass and piercing drums. The best moments on Golden Spike are the most direct. Murder This, a track influenced by the more alien soundscapes of seminal dubstep albums like Skream!, is contagious in this sense. It’s difficult to not give off an expression of bass face appreciation when the “Smoke that shit” sample proceeds the drop.
U.K. hiphop heavy weight Jehst features on the EP’s title track in meticulous fashion. The wordsmith’s lyricism addresses everything from revolution to technological dependency and monging out to some top tier grade with a few San Pellegrinos. His aggressive flows perpetuate Dolenz’ equally harsh production. Polydrop is another highlight, as the producer dissects a vintage drum pattern with rave tendencies and chopped vocals; early 90s era Prodigy sound like a clear influence on this cut, which is never a bad thing of course.
The EP closes in typically eery fashion. ‘Dead That’ uses samples from old documentaries and a bouncy rhythm to depict its vibe, and play out into Sumgii’s remix of Golden Spike. His rework still has elements of futurism but the beat is more stripped back and typical of his lauded style.
Below is a mix Dolenz has kindly done for our Repeat raves section, which explores U.K. hiphop sonics across the board. Be sure to give it a listen.
WRITTEN BY LIAM CATTERMOLE
TRACKLIST
CLBRKS x Morriarchi - Bonito ft Caprisun
HashFinger - Ripples
Beyond There - Slumber ft Essa & Jehst
Juganaut - Worthy ft Tyler Daley
Verbz & Mr Slipz - Iron Grip
Hawk House - Tidal Tendencies
Jehst - Wild Herb
Old Paradise - Sunkissed
Foreign Beggars - The Sauce ft Black Josh & Ivy Lab
Dolenz - Golden Spike ft Jehst (Sumgii Remix)
Black Josh - Middle Finger
MC Mello - Melooizdaman (Inst)
Mystro - Around My Way
Kyza - Real, Pt 1
Asaviour - Filed of Dreams
DJ Vadim - Combustible (Inst)
DJ Vadim - Something to Feel ft Task Force & Mr Thing
Lewis Parker - It’s All Happening Now ft Klashnekoff
Children of Zeus - Won’t End Well ft Black Milk
Layfullstop - Cherries
Jam Baxter - Red Hawaiian
Roots Manuva - Skivers Guide (Inst)
Skitz - Dedication ft Rodeny P
Universal Soldiers - Rotten Apples
P Brothers - Rock The City (Inst)
Boot Productions - Kitted Out ft Cappo
Strange U - The Cake Is A Lie
Bone Idols - Above The Clouds (Inst)
Unsung Heroes - Crushed Velvet ft Ty
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