Review Summary: Flying through the giant cities of the future
EPs in general are representations of time. Showcases of a particular moment in an artists career. Electronic EPs can be even more polarizing than that. As a major fan of the genre, I think I can safely say this. Either its too short and feels forgettable, or its long and feels boring, overblown or contrived. I'm happy to report that this is not the case with Myles Oliver's EP, "Bring On the Future".
What we get here are fresh drum and bass songs that never feel stale. The first song "Silver" is powerful and exemplary of the what this EP has to offer. With the first second of this song being pure acid techno synth along a slick beat. This then quickly propels itself into an anthemic atmospheric drum and bass track with lush synth sounds. It brings to mind a futuristic landscape but also sounds just like something from the soundtracks for F-Zero GX, Jet Set Radio or Super Monkey Ball.
The only downside to the EP is that every track here has a similar futuristic-urban atmosphere going on. It's very particular in sound, and many may be turned off by this same theme running through the whole release. For myself it is perfect. It strikes me that 90s drum and bass artists such as LTJ Bukem or Roni Size didn't have a hand in this, as it resembles select tracks in their catalog. Some of the other tracks like "Beat Burner" and "Floor Rippin'" are raw slices of dark drum and bass with quick moments of melodic interjection.
The last track "Reloaded" features an artist named DJ Krown, and is considerably slower, spacier and more techno/ IDM than drum and bass. It starts of with a sample from that sounds like The Matrix (someone can fill me in if it or not). This song has really interesting chords that sound almost jazzy. I'd describe as sci-fi utopian and 90s sounding. A good way to end the EP.
What I like most about this is its "feel-good" nature. It has a care-free sound to it that expresses optimism for the future. I really have been enjoying Myles Oliver's progression. So far this EP has earned its spot as my favorite among his works. It isn't as long as some of his other works, and here not a moment is wasted. All around it sounds like just some seriously good music being made. Hope it continues.
