Next Up Top

About this track

☆★★ https://scale-limited.bandcamp.com/album/dark-blue-grsclm166 ★★☆ Nicolas Barnes returns to Greyscale for the 166th episode of the Mood Series, giving us four tracks that perfectly bridge the dance floor and home listening. Dark Blue finds Barnes working with plenty of momentum while keeping the spacious chord work and atmosphere that have become important parts of his sound. The title track gradually pushes through the haze as ominous chords swell from background, creating a darker mood without slowing the pace. It's a perfect opener for an EP or setlist equally. 'Never Late' has a firm beat and slick tech groove. Barnes creates an excellent balance between hypnotic and laid back. 'Next Up Top' is all about those excellent swirling melodic chords while 'Aime Leon Dore' closes the EP with its thickest low end and perhaps its most addictive groove. A strange vocal buried deep in the mix recalls the synthetic voice of an old Speak & Spell toy, adding an unusual character to the deepness. This creative touch won't be lost on the ones listening attentively. It is easy to imagine DJs reaching for this one. It completes another fantastic Mood Series appearance from Barnes. - w&p - Nicolas Barnes mastering - grad_u artwork - Rima Prusakova write-up - Tim Humphrey ☆★★ https://scale-limited.bandcamp.com/album/dark-blue-grsclm166 ★★☆