- Throughout the past 12 months, some dubstep producers delved deeply into their sound banks to explore the space between musical elements, creating a new evolution in the sound. Others relied on the sheer viciousness of their bass lines to move people. The completely and utterly anonymous Spatial thankfully falls into the former category and this numerically titled 10-inch, and the two accompanying free downloads, thrusts the recent 2-step infected movement of producers like Geiom and Ramadanman into a more considered and glitchy direction.
The two vinyl tracks comprise of subtle clicks and hi-hats that push into you rather than hinting at the rolling pulse of the sub bass, revealing an almost tech house-influenced production style. "70810" has a primitive garage double snare groove and, as on most of the cuts on offer, Spatial lets the drum beat take the brunt of the attention with a few tempered pads chiming sultrily in the background. "80207," meanwhile, has a more obvious dubstep feel with its heavily delayed snare drum and more consistent sub bass lurking behind the wheeling stabs of that rave era synthesizer.
With an evident grasp on 2-step drum patterns and with a foot planted heavily in dubstep, Spatial seems to have found a style all of his own. This first micro garage lament for Infrasonics is minimal but, as should be standard in such a skeletal foray, it's impeccably well produced. Whether he's messing up progressive synths on "70707" or making you reach for the ceiling on "80723," it appears Spatial deserves every bit of your attention.
Tracklist A 80207
B 70810
Digital Exclusive: 70707
Digital Exclusive: 80723