- The eponymous label of a Parisian club, Concrete Music focuses on high-quality techno and house—often from locals and other artists connected to the club. 7AM is the sixth installment of Textures, a series of compilation 12-inches, and features four deep and diverse cuts from Chris Mitchell, Lowris, Matthew Herbert and Lazare Hoche.
"Parallel Symbiotic" tackles the early morning with aplomb, stitching together rushy arpeggios and driving drums. It's polished and highly accessible, but the sheen diminishes Mitchell's likable quirks. "C_crete" recalls mid-'00s Dimbiman with its prancing rhythms and slightly twisted mutterings. Gossamer pads and plaintive piano chords add some depth to the Lowris track, resulting in a delightfully trippy after-hours burner that's arguably the record's strongest offering.
On "Earthenware," Matthew Herbert applies his deft pop sensibility to coarse textures and tropical guitars, which results in a joyous, left-of-centre club bomb that's bound to appeal to a wide array of DJs. Lazare Hoche closes 7AM with a solid slice of airy, grooving tech house. Serene pads sit comfortably on top of "Spank"'s bumping bassline, and its drum pattern takes cues from vintage Kerri Chandler.
TracklistA1 Chris Mitchell - Parallel Symbiotic
A2 Lowris - C_crete
B1 Matthew Herbert - Earthenware
B2 Lazare Hoche - Spank