- Heart Strings refuses to hold back across its four big-room tracks, which is a smart move from the new solo incarnation of WHYT NOYZ. David Sidley parted ways with Duncan Murray after last year's Deadly EP, and the Birmingham producer has returned with revitalized vision. An added flair for melody and enhanced theatrics helps elevate some selections beyond average tech house material; "Heart Strings," for instance, kicks off the record with a funky, sidewinding synth lead that splits the difference between Todd Terje and Kompakt. The minimal nature of Minus remains despite Sidley's various accoutrements, and the tension there makes for useful dance music.
"Elastic" practices the most restraint, rarely veering off a straight-ahead course marked by jittery percussion, light atmospheric swells and rolling sub frequencies. The only lavish moments come during its breakdowns, when Sidley gets almost jazzy with his psychedelic soundbank. It has a lot in common with "Bounc3," actually, and not just their identical BPMs: the two tracks are only separated by the intermittent bass gnarls that run through "Bounc3." The title track and "Fairground" are stronger and explore different dance floor aesthetics. Whereas "Heart Strings" works out a consistent groove that favors details over upward movement, "Fairground" is essentially a six-plus minute climb through ever-rising peaks. Heart Strings doesn't break any boundaries for WHYT NOYZ, but it does set a sturdy premise for the next chapter.
トラックリスト01. Heart Strings
02. Bounc3
03. Fairground
04. Elastic