While The Upbeats may explain their choice of album title with the humble statement “We’re not super tech geeks, we’ve always felt our approach to production is quite simple.” Anyone who knows anything about this duo’s music can tell you that the end results sound far from primitive. The cheeky-grinned New Zealanders have filled dance floors and iPod playlists around the world with their unique take on drum & bass for nearly a decade, yet their music is sounding fresher than ever; as their impressive new album is about to prove.
The nicknames Terror Snake and Downie Wolf offer an insight into The Upbeats’ playful sense of humour, but an insight into their musical history could take longer to sum up. Suffice to say The Upbeats have dropped singles on almost every D&B label worth their salt and racked up three previous albums including the critically acclaimed long player ‘Big Skeleton’ released on their Non Vogue label. ‘Primitive Technique,’ however, is slated for release on Noisia’s Vision imprint - a label that has become a bastion of high-octane, high-quality D&B and fans of the genre will unquestionably have high hopes for this album.
If you’re one of those fans then fear not, once again The Upbeats will quench your thirst for incredible and impeccable drum & bass spread across 14 glorious tracks. And if you’re not a particular follower of the genre then we’d suggest you put aside your preconceptions and dive headlong into ‘Primitive Technique.’ What awaits you is a world of unique sounds put together with attention to detail that’s stunning, musicality that’s moving and a palette of associated genres that all combine to create another stunningly coherent album.
From the tough opening gambit that is ‘Beyond Reality’ to the hip hop-infused ‘Bass Drop’ – the first of two tracks featuring American super-MC Armanni Reign – it’s clear from the outset that ‘Primitive Technique’ is taking no prisoners. ‘Monogram’ offers up the more melodic side of The Upbeats’ musical machinations, while ‘Thrasher’ ft. Trei throws you straight into the deeper, darker side of drum & bass. Halfway through ‘Primitive Technique’ The Upbeats slow down with ‘Interval,’ an expansive slice of soulful ambience that provides a perfectly placed breathing space.
From there the loose drum arrangement of ‘Falling Into Place’ offers a gentle build into the album’s second single ‘Alone’ ft. Tasha Baxter, another testament to The Upbeats’ ability to explore fresh aspects of drum & bass, offering an enveloping wash of 172bpm beauty. Another short interlude in the form of ‘Castles’ provides room for The Upbeats great crescendo ‘Tangerine’ ft. Dose, ‘Retrograde’ and ‘Undertaker’ three devastating chunks of heavy D&B that will shake bassbins and rattle ear drums the world over.
‘Primitive Technique’ is an album that caters to many but compromises for no one, and with techniques that may be primitive The Upbeats have crafted an album that sounds undeniably modern.
