UK piggy-master Matt Nida is releasing his debut EP via
Cheapbeats (those ever-busy chaps) on the 16th, and those familiar with Nida’s
past dub antics are in for a shock. ‘Particle Theory’ is more 90s UK electronic
underground than it is Caribbean catharsis, transcending ‘chiptune’ monikers with
deep acidic overtones and frequently fantastic bass and percussion.
‘No Not To Mind The Probe’ features some untouchable bass, a
seething beast bouncing through the track with ferocious precision. Later the track
ebbs into acidic lo-fi idm, sounding like a funky Henry Homesweet ‘Live-Mode’
mix, never once tripping up. Lo-fi vibes also resonate throughout ‘Snout To Tail’, with rave-ready
beats, pounding rhythms and genius instrument choices, though the reverbed
chords do become a tad over-used. In fact, the only real problem with the release
is the odd misjudgement with instruments. Due to the minimalist and repetitive
nature of ‘Particle Theory’, a formula which works well in this context, some
of the instruments begin to grate fairly quickly. More focus on warmer tones
throughout may have benefited this release massively, and no more is the
evidence for this more glaring than in the stunning ‘Zero Room’, a track
swimming in nuance, with subtle layers forming even subtler grooves riding parallel
to the huge swinging pulsations of the kicks.
Along with a remix by Metrodub owner Minikomi, which injects
some much needed life into the previous husk ‘First Principle’, ‘Particle
Theory’ finishes with the gargantuan ‘Perpetual Motion’, and the only memorable
melodies on the release. This isn’t a detriment to the other tracks, melody acts
here as a placeholder for the percussive and bass rhythms, being more about
motion than emotion. However, the melodies on ‘Particle Theory’ pronounce themselves
alongside the gorgeous, staggering chords and harpesque wash of notes, forming minimalist
piggy mastery at its best, and another testament to huge amount of talent in the
UK scene. He may of ditched dub, but
Matt’s talents are clearly multi-purpose, taking to minimalist idm with as much
gusto. Keep the 16th etched in your calendars.
Favourite track: Perpetual Motion
(Will provide links upon release, until then, check out CheapBeats)
