Check This Out, the debut EP from Krakow producer Fidser, is a release primarily influenced by juke and footwork, however it covers a plethora of electronic and dance music genres, sub-styles and post-whathaveyous. Covering all of the aspects that make electronic music interesting, it will definitely go to please the fan of the deeper and more rapid side of Chicago-influenced dance music.
‘Where You Came Into My Life’ begins the EP with a lengthy ambient buildup, slowly infiltrated by the signature kicks and rapid fire snares that are the trademark feature of footwork. Eventually dropping down into a frantic house beat, it manages to swim across genres effortlessly, finally fading out on the same footwork notes that it came in on.
The next track and namesake of the release, ‘Check This Out’s is a footwork banger through and through. The morphed vocal samples, furious high hats and jabbing synth lines weld together to create a European twist on the classic Chicago style.
‘All Right’s moves across to the UK in terms of sound and aesthetic, leaving the deeper styles of Chicago for the more bouncy and danceable sounds of modern UK dance music. Followed very much in suit by the final original track on the EP, ‘Activate’ blends both the UK and US influences very much present in Fidser’s production techniques, swapping between deep UK drops and furious footwork rhythms.
Rounded out by three remixes from the likes of Artfruit, Space Ladies, and Hatti Vatti, Check This Out goes to show the reaching influence that footwork and Chicago dance music in general has on the output of international artists. Offering four top-notch originals and three excellent remixes, Check This Out is a solid release from start to finish.
Joshua Millar
