Smoke, darkness and bright lights are generally the foundations of a good rave. They’re just a few of the aspects needed to form a wicked club night, but there is one thing missing from that list: the music. Providing that this time round is Smoki, a UK talent serving up big things on the OneFoldDigital label. Prepare yourselves, because this stuff is deep.

The first track of the EP is Hypnotize and that’s exactly what this tune does. It starts off invitingly, with some innocent sounding beeps before a heavy bassline is brought in. Hi hats give it rhythm and some claps keep it interesting, while the driving bassline keeps that techy vibe throughout the tune. Mechanical beats and wavy synths compliment the intermittent beeps and squeaks, until we’re reeled in for one last banging drop. The foundations of the EP have certainly been laid with this one.

Keeping the mysterious theme going, Nebula comes up next. Subtle rattles and echoes begin the track, teasing out the oncoming drop. The thud of the snare drum comes in, while the rattles continue to keep that dark vibe. Hi hats enter at a fast tempo, and the wobbly echoes vibrate intermittently, forming a bouncy track that sounds light and dark all at the same time. In the opening set or the graveyard shift, this one sounds at home.

Up last but by no means least is Too Easy, and Smoki certainly makes it look that way. It’s the vibrating vocal sample in this one that really cements this track as a certified banger. The bassline is there, and the thudding snare drum gives that classic dark vibe, but the way we’re reeled in and out by an eerie vocal sample stating “easy” is what tops this EP off nicely.

With this one, Smoki brings a very strong EP to the OneFoldDigital imprint. All the tracks are punchy and hard hitting, yet manage to retain a certain techy wobble that would invite good vibes to a rave. Hats off to this UK producer, as he gives us a masterclass in how to keep the underground sounds we all know and love well underground. With the release date set for the 9th of December, this definitely isn’t one to be missed.

Words by Olly Gunns