Bleep

One can always rely on the Bjarki-led bbbbbb imprint to deliver the best and brightest in whacked-out modern rave sounds. This reputation is thanks in no small part to the run of records that EOD has released via the label. EOD’s first bbbbbb drop of the new decade, entitled Zone, is a typically rambunctious set of modern-day IDM innovations from the producer known to his friends as Stian Gjevik.

EOD’s special talent has always been the ability to combine the kind of acid-on-speed flavour that other bbbbbb drops have with some more contemplative synth sounds. Zone cuts like ‘From The 1st Sound’ and ‘Emper’ are true-to-form in this regard, their roiling broken beats held in check by keys at once pensive and melodious. Something similar happens on ‘Shy’, though this track also threatens to explode with energy towards its end as fizzing rave chords almost overwhelm the tune.

The other two tracks of Zone break new ground for EOD. ‘Mist Appeal’ does away with choppy beatwork, instead locking into a minimal techno groove that provides a good anchor for the track’s reverb-heavy chord work. If it wasn’t for the 303 zipping around low in the mix you could almost mistake ‘Mist Appeal’ for the deepest Jeff Mills tune. Meanwhile the short ‘Mule’ vignette that closes out Zone puts us firmly in ambient territory, its humming organs cleansing the palate after a typically high-octane ride in EOD’s vehicle.

Fresh bbbbbb in effect - and Bjarki’s label have got EOD, master of modern IDM, back for another crack at the whip with his Zone EP.