Bleep

Iranian producer/composer Mahdyar drops his new LP via Kowloon Records. The opening almost-title-track sets out the stall for Seized very nicely. ‘Seize’ begins with a simple, pretty bassline that seems about to usher in a stirring, full-chested hip-hop beat. However, over the following minute the sample is increasingly mangled and distorted, with discordant counter-melodies bending the original lick out of shape. When the beat does drop, it’s a screwed-up thing reminiscent of DJ Shadow at his most confrontational. The remaining ten tracks all offer off-kilter beats that both befuddle your head and make it nod. It’s not a million miles away from what Paul White did for Danny Brown’s Atrocity Exhibition.