- It's been a while since Vince Watson has released on his own label, Bio. Two years, according to Discogs. However, it was only last January that the Scotsman presented new material anywhere, with Atom, a busy three-track EP. In contrast, "Pressure" is pared down, with a strange sense of disconnection between melody and percussion. As is usually the case with Watson, there are multiple layers of the former, with oscillating filter sweeps and a plush arpeggio taking the fore early on. The "disconnected" part hits about a quarter of the way in, a series of wistful, lengthy chords which sound as if they're being played slightly out of time. When the kick comes to an abrupt halt later on, however, it's revealed to be a trick, with everything perfectly in sync. Quite a good trick, too—the ensuing breakdown is surpremely emotional. So much so that Watson reprises it to finish the track.
Irish duo Psycatron occupy the B-side with a more reserved take. A hollow, subterranean kick leads the proceedings, with the original's emotional synth lines allowed only to creep into hearing range, rather than burst through euphorically. At certain points their impact is blunted further, with the flying chords tugged downward, their pitch slowly lowering until they melt into the bassline. It's just as impressive as Watson's cut; it's their uses which set them apart. The original is an overt peak-timer—though it'd also close a night memorably—while Psycatron's is a gentle builder with plenty of reward for those with patience.
Tracklist A Pressure
B Pressure (Psycatron Remix)