Picks Of The Week (18.09.21

1. Maysev - Onward EP 💎 [NËU Music]

Recommended if you like: Circumference, MISSIN, Synergy

Of course. In the one week that I'm busy raving in the UK, a complete newcomer drops a gem like this EP. You know what though? I'll still talk about it even if it's not technically from this week, it's just too good not to feature.

For anyone who has followed these weekly posts it shouldn't be news that I love nearly everything that's part of the huge wave of newschool techy hybrid drum and bass spearheaded by the likes of IMANU, Buunshin and The Caracal Project. Furthermore, it shouldn't surprise anyone that I love German DnB legend Phace & Misanthrop's newcomer label for exactly that sound, NËU. They are consistently on the forefront of the best experimental weirdness to come out of our scene, most of the time from names you've never even heard of.

Speaking of, let's talk about the latest new up-and-coming artist on the label: Maysev! Even though he currently only has 20 years of living on this planet under his belt, the German producer has already acquired a set of insane production talents that rival some of the biggest names of the scene. I would honestly love to include some specific tidbit about his hometown Regensburg like "I bet he's only so good because of the super clean air in Regensburg", but I know exactly nothing about the city and my internet in this train is too slow to find anything interesting out. Just as a little behind the scenes funfact for you all. Aaaanyway, let's talk about this debut EP of his, the Onward EP, which is also this week's Hidden Gem Of The Week™️!

Maysev kicks things off with the wonderfully dark and weird Tunnel Drive. With a little introductory descend into madness designed to sound like a train rattling over the tracks into a tunnel, the collaboration with fellow NËUcomer Matens shows the listener just how unique this whole experience is going to be within the first minute. As we continue on in our tunnel drive, the rattling continues just as much. In the first drop we're treated to a techy-glitchy kind of version of said rattling, which cuts through the great ominous atmosphere in the background. In the second half M&M play around with the rattling so much you start to think we're now getting a differently paced drop, but then they hit you right back with the techy goodness, with a few fun twists.

Then there's All Out. Holy moly. In a sea of tunes that are essentially using the "standard" buildup-drop-buildup-drop structure (not that there's anything wrong with it), something like this track hits differently. Over nearly two minutes of buildup Maysev shows us just how well he can manipulate all kinds of sounds to create a truly beautiful and engaging atmosphere. Just when you might think you know where this is going you're swiftly hit in the head with an extremely unique yet powerful drop. I think "wow" might be the right word to use here. From there it goes back and forth between this all-encompassing madness and a stripped-back version of it, which is also bringing back and emphasizing the atmosphere established in the intro. After this, we slow down into a bit of half-time, allowing us to process what exactly just happened to our ears. Insane track.

Next up, we've got the quick-firing rolling sounds of Koram. After a relaxing buildup full of beautiful otherworldly melodies and newschool sounds you don't hear very often, Maysev and his collaborative partner Secula plunge into an arrangement composed of very distorted rapid-fire drum rolls, the aforementioned weird sounds, and a whole lot of great glitchy sidechain action. That formula is flipped on its head in the second drop as the duo switch over to a good old 174 techno beat, syncopated every now and then to still keep the weirdness levels of it all high.

Last but not least Maysev takes us on a little ride through the tempos on Realize. First, we slow down to half-time, where the German talent shows us just how well his impeccable sound design works even in the slower tempos. As a fan of hiphop, I really felt the groove he was aiming for with this excursion into the slowness. However, my favourite part has got to be the second drop. Especially when he briefly switches over to full-time (not quite 174 apparently, but close enough) in the second drop, before returning back to the more relaxing halftime. I can't even properly describe the sounds I'm hearing, all I know is that everything just works.

Even in the NËU-niverse, this EP and its uniquely beautiful weirdness stands out. When you consider that this is just his debut release, you'll realize that this won't be the last time we hear of him.

Other deep and/or techy things from this week:

Black Sun Empire, Mefjus - Something Bad
Annix, Simula, K Motionz - Diagram (Emperor Remix)
Samthing - Deadlock / With You 💎
1985 Music VA - 5 Years Remix EP
Fetus - Nocturnal EP 💎
Transforma - Nebula
Klinical, Workforce - Around Me VIP EP
switch/case - Saucer 💎
Calibrate Records VA - Convergence 01 💎