Premiere: JJ Selects – Spooky [theroomintheback]
JJ Selects is back on his fledgling label, theroomintheback, with the Clear EP, another superb outing that operates in a heady world of stripped-back underground sounds.
Los Angeles-based artist JJ Selects has been notable for his work as Tracy Pearl and Tracy Unknown and has recently rebranded all his music under the JJ Selects banner. His music has had high-profile support from Seth Troixler, Skream, Breaka, and more and 2023 saw the launch of theroomintheback with his ‘Access EP’ turning heads. It showcased his left-of-centre mix of minimal, house and techno, and now he builds on that again with another EP full of forward-thinking sounds.
The opener ‘Spooky’ has a fresh and elastic rhythm with hefty hits and kicks that lead to body-popping moves. Sleazy vocals bring some streetwise swagger as this club-ready cut makes an indelible mark. The deep and dirty ‘Aperture’ has a grubby bassline and lo-fi drums with plenty of vinyl crackle and static marbling the groove. Clanking hits, daubs of fizzy synth and twisted bells further heighten the tension. ‘Juicy’ ups the ante; It’s dubby, hard-edged minimal house with tripped-out effects and paranoid sounds panning about the mix to brilliantly unsettling effect as the drums roll on. ‘Cave’ rounds out a sophisticated four-tracker with a warm world of smooth synths smeared over crisp, punchy kick patterns. It’s a track to jerk the dancefloor into life while keeping plenty of mysterious moods front and centre.
JJ Selects brings a fresh perspective to the underground with this superb new EP.
Buy Link:
https://theroomintheback.bandcamp.com/album/jj-selects-clear