The English producer Nochexxx first came to this writer’s attention with his debut 12″ on Werk Discs earlier this year, which saw him producing a pair of instrumentals for the eccentric New York MC, Sensational. These spritely, swung tracks floated delicately behind the vocals, managing to both engage the MC and stay busy on their own. For his first release on Ramp Recordings, Nochexxx furthers this aesthetic: both sides synthesize a variety of elements into unceasingly fidgety arrangements that nevertheless stay deftly away from disorder.
“Ritalin Love” is a fairly apt title for the A-side. It’s a hyperactive mishmash of twisted vocal samples and synth stabs, clipped drums in slightly offbeat 4/4, and deep wobbles; continually alternating between druggy lurch and full sprint, it could easily be a mess. Nochexxx adeptly harnesses these elements and gives them a lot of breathing room, especially within the confines of such a squashed track. “Timepiece” is similarly skewed assortment of quick stabs, though rhythmically it follows a more straightforward trajectory, its 4/4 a bit beefier. Its centerpiece is an uncannily familiar sample, a foggy melody that recalls the work of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. This sample keeps the patchwork of sounds underneath at bay, and things threaten to corrode in its absence. This 12″ is probably too manic to appeal to purists, but it’s a gem for those looking for a unique vision, the abstract product of an up-and-coming producer who sees all strands of dance music and weaves them into something very much his own.
