Mall Grab – Spirit Wave (EP)

85%%Overall Score

• Retro sound-set with quirky features
• Fast paced yet dreamy
• Melodic progressions rooted in the minor scale

Lo-fi music has caught up in the modern sphere so much so that it is now much welcomed as soothingly nostalgic than unwanted buzz to be dismissed as cacophony. Many names, including the electronic music spectrum, have entirely invested their signature to this particular trademark. Prominent names in this category would be DJ Boring, Ross from Friends, Pool boy and more such. Among this lengthy list is the standout Mall Grab. “Spirit Wave”, the sophomore EP for the year from this solo figure, embodies his attachment towards vintage aesthetics coupled with experimentation.

As to what first timers might experience with the British act’s oeuvre is hard to pinpoint altogether, as his productions range from dub-heavy House reminiscent of Detroit’s soulful sounds to the booming rave-y records fit for playing in a clandestine boiler-room parties. One trait remains constant throughout, that being the distorted and raw and potent ensemble, a far-cry from overproduced and over-edited contemporary dance music (which have also conveniently shrunk to shorter durations). And here I believe lies the magic: despite this could be called flaws, they are rather endearing and evoke bittersweet emotions, thus carrying more sentimentality than your average song. Mall Grab’s branding is a clear indicator of that, as his personalistic and laid-back character translates to his offerings, giving the listeners something more than just slick beats and flowing basslines to latch onto.

The said compilation that needs our attention now has a couple of works including the titular track, and the former one already got its own release back in July. Nonetheless, this serves as the perfect opportunity to discuss both. “Love Reigns” triumphs with its upbeat pianoforte and unfiltered percussions, adjoined with a female vocal snippet.

Mall Grab · Mall Grab – Love Reigns

Although running at a speedier 133 BPM, the groove has just the right pace to give the melodic progression to jaunt with vibrancy. Following this, “Spirit Wave” goes even faster stride, albeit trading the keys with dub-synths this time. Peculiarity is introduced by the vocal sampling that loops over and over, adding itself to the already hypnotic loop organized by the heavy-kick and grainy riff. And as you might already be anticipating from reading this, “less is more” is the mantra that gets adopted here. Despite the sparseness and repetition, the intended catchiness propels the said tracks without slacking, a testament to the London-based DJ/Producer’s specialty in creating addictive and minimal rhythms.

“Spirit Wave” is unconventional in all the right ways. It doesn’t flinch from operating with dated yet time-tested elements, at the same time not deterring far away to the cold and abstract-ness that many textbook underground produced songs consider hip, instead of being heartfelt like this.