Suburban Dark – Expeditions EP (The Frequency Lab)

Sydney-based downbeat / hiphop duo Chris Irvine (drums / production) and Ryan Wilmott (guitars / bass / production) first formed their Suburban Dark partnership several years ago, despite both balancing the load of playing in various other bands, including The Phonies and Sketch The Rhyme. With their 2007 remix of Monk Fly’s ‘An English Walk’ having picked up international attention from the likes of Danny Breaks, this debut five track EP sees the duo introducing their cosmically-tinged, self-described ‘galaxy-hop’ approach, with mix engineer Scott Horscroft aiding them in achieving their desired warm, ‘vintage’ aesthetic. Opening track ‘Comms’ makes an entrance draped in shimmering, proggy analogue synths and sampled astronaut chatter before locking down into the sort of smoked-out downbeat funk you’d expect from the likes of the G-Stone label, complete with burbling electronics and tight, Peter Kruder-style live bassline. ‘No Exit’s sees the beat programming getting a bit more angular and rattling as the sweeping synth pads move back to the forefront, but in many senses it’s ‘Letter Home’, the one vocal track here that offers the biggest surprises, veering out towards mid-period Simple Minds-esque downbeat New Wave pop influences, complete with mannered vocals and squalling guitar feedback. While it’s certainly not the side-step you might first expect, in the context of the previous tracks it works beautifully, as does ‘Reflections’ closing descent into eerie, sample-laden minimal techno – proving that Suburban Dark perhaps plan on being a slippery fish to pigeonhole. Well worth checking out if you’re a fan of space-fixated downbeat sounds.