With his Technician EP due later this month, Manchester based Contours is the newest member of the Rhythm Section family. While this is Contours’ debut release, those who forensically inspect the tracklistings of Bradley Zero’s NTS show will be familiar with the name, as Bradley has been quietly pushing his music throughout 2015.
‘Eyes Down’ has all the hallmarks we have come to associate with the Peckham-based imprint. The song is centred around a low-slung hip-hop beat, although its languid nature belies a smart rhythmic complexity that is especially apparent when paying close attention to the cymbals. These drums are sprinkled with attic dust, while the keys and bassline stitch the high and low ends together through their neat harmonisation. In the latter half, a whisper of a saxophone evokes the feel of a smoky late night members club, which nicely contextualises ‘Eyes Down’ within Rhythm Section’s multi-faceted persona, by evoking the clubnight where it all began.
Contours – Technician EP is out 13th November on Rhythm Section. Pre-order on Bandcamp.