Release Date: 26th March 2012

Label: Black Acre

The thing with Dark Sky is that no matter what the state of the bass music industry, what style of production is in fashion or what elements are being (over)used by producers, they are sure to come out with consistently good music, which does well to both regard and disregard these trends. Black Rainbows, as I expected, does just that.

What is most striking to me about their work is their power to command mood using just beat production and simple melody. Coming from someone who loves a good vocal sample (typical girl, I know), Dark Sky are one of the few artists who, for me, have the ability to convey emotion and lead you to escape to the dark, gritty setting they have created without relying on typically emotive vocal samples, an element which other producers can’t do without.

F Technology starts off the EP by plunging you right in to their moody setting. This and the next track, Tremor see the trio use a variety of percussive elements that they have yet to try, creating sounds which are experimental and original, but at the same time completely easy on the ear and club-friendly. The third track Zoom, still following suit, asserts itself as a strong stand-alone track, as does the closing track, Totem. This end to the EP sees us blessed with the same beat consistency and strength that runs throughout, but with a change in mood, helped along by the uplifting melody and twinkling, glitchy sounds. Like their gorgeous cover art by Harry Cresswell suggests, Dark Sky have created a world of concrete darkness with a splash of colour and movement, and as you leave the last track on a much higher note than when you started, you are ready to start the whole journey again from the beginning.

All in all, with their latest release, Dark Sky have done what they do best. Without worrying too much about genre, but by just focusing on delivering excellent production, Black Rainbows has moved their sound on in a timeless, non-linear way and has proved that the collective talent and skill of this London trio will persist for releases to come.

My Rating: 8/10

Get it here.