- Birth Palace is the debut release from Fuewa, a new project from the Dorset-based artist Chris Sallows. Sallows is known for his work as Microburst—last year's Hadal Lagoon EP for Svetlana Industries featured twinkly, leftfield percussive constructs with a passing resemblance to post-dubstep—but this new alias explores more baleful lo-fi forms.
The first minute or so of the opener, "Blhock," suggests we're in for six rough loop tracks in the Opal Tapes vein. But, while sticky techno and house rhythms predominate, Sallow quickly distances himself from such comparisons. Partly this is achieved through a richness and depth of arrangement: Sallows' rain-drenched soundscapes suggest furtive activity, distant presences (beatless closer "Black Illusion Fall Out" is bound together by what could be a faraway train), or cavernous empty space (as in the volatile, super-reverbed interjections in "La Void"). Mostly, though, it's down to the producer's ear for a melody—the sort of fuzzy, surprisingly warm motifs that will be familiar to Microburst fans. "Time Paint," with its pretty arpeggios, is a highlight; as is sultry groover "Outa Banks." But the whole EP is deserving of attention, and easily the equal of Sallows' past output.
Tracklist01. Blhok
02. Outa Banks
03. Undress_Invert
04. La Void
05. Time Paint
06. Black Illusion Fall Out