Londons very own Lobster Theremin sub label, Distant Hawaii have hit the nail on the head with their debut release from Hidden Spheres. This 4 track ep is incredibly to the beat of the same drum as Swedens very own HNNY, but with a very unique way of doing things. Feel good relaxing summer house music with a seaside coastal undertone that can’t help but remind you of days spent at the beach as a child. Nostalgia inducing soft Lo-Fi vocals with a soft smooth melody. It is essential listening whilst we still have some sunny days left in store.
First out of the gate is the title track Waiting. Short cutty vocal samples and bongo drums immediately set the tone right before soft and slow piano chords come into this equation as the catalyst to set this record off to a flying start. A large amount of different elements fading in and out on this one. At some stages while it may seem cluttered, it drops right back to just its leading bongo drums and draws you back in all over again. Before letting everything in its arsenal rip. A cracking start.
Next up to the plate is “Upsn Downs” to bring us through to the end of side A. Straight away this one is faster than the opener but still retains its mellow groove but in a slightly more rushed pace. Organ chords and a slightly sporadic drum line match up with a simplistic male vocal for starters. Then a lighthearted dancing synth is introduced to shake things up. The track builds and gains more weight around the bass side of things as it continues but with great effect as far as the hips are concerned. Strings and brass are slowly brought into the background to give the last quarter a triumphant almost orchestral feeling. All these tracks have so much going on but somehow retain such beautiful simplicity.
On the flip side then there is “Be a man”. The most bass driven track on the record. It starts, as with the others, with a drum and synth right before a sample vocal hook comes into play. Instantly making you want to dance the tracks on this record just get better and better as you go on. Bringing in subtle elements like finger snaps and a gently wailing synth are the quite differences that sets this record far apart from others. This one is a step away from the beach side kind of vibe that had begun so well on the A side but retains quality throughout none the less.
Then last but not least is “Bill loves you”. This has a sort of theatrical feeling to it that I can only like to Detroit swindle or Dan shake. More intense than what has come before it. This is the climactic cressendo finish for the record that leaves you on a high and begging for more. If you aren’t dancing by the end of this then you need to have a serious look at yourself. By far the most dance floor focused track with the tiniest drop of acid thrown in for good measure to bring this record to a new level along with a hypnotizing male vocal cut. The track continues building and building and before you know it it’s over and all that follows is silence. A cut above the rest.
Grab it on wax HERE.
Tracklist.
A1. Waiting
A2. Upsn downs
B1. Be a Man
B2. Bill loves you