V.I.V.E.K - Shapes
System Music head honcho V.I.V.E.K. is back in 2023 with a new addition to the label. After years in the dubstep scene, Vivek is best known for his many releases on Deep Medi, the System party's curation, and the same name's record label. System Music consistently pioneered more roots-inspired dubstep sound, merging classic dub reggae influences with more dub-techno elements. Shapes are about bringing that rootsy, deep dubstep sound Vivek is known for into the modern day.
The Shapes EP updates a stacked catalogue of killer tunes to the modern day, with Vivek branching genres and styles together in this new release. The title track, 'Shapes', kicks off the EP with a blissful, percussion-less introlude caked in these sexy jazz saxophones that feel straight out of a film noir. The maniacal chuckle is a fantastic edition, interjecting some much-needed humour to a genre that's taken quite seriously for the most part. The warm and inviting bassline works well with the glassy Rhodes-style piano. Although Shapes has no percussion, and some will see this as a departure from the Vivek sound, this song is one of, if not the most emotionally impacting.
'Noir' again subverts what most with being familiar with from Vivek. Large imposing dubstep tracks that shake the system are the usual modus operandi, but 'Noir' mixes it up like 'Shapes'. Vivek flexes what I can only refer to as some serious Roots dub chops. The ability to take very sparse track components and delay them to hell to fill space and create depth is hard to get right, but I think it is pulled off in 'Noir'. The relatively simple kick and snare pattern are complimented with heavy use of effect to keep them interesting, such as constantly changing reverb and delay times and augmentation of the repeats. The effects on the snare make it pop like bubble wrap underwater, smash like a cymbal at times or even just repeat hypnotically.
Capturing the tension the dubstep genre is known for, 'Here We Are' attacks with an almost reggaeton beat. Call-and-response basses fire around each other, with the distorted bowed sound particularly interesting. It cuts through the mix well when considering the caverns reverbs all over the track. Notably, that same reverb gives off an uncomfortable feeling when applied to the metallic snare, which sounds like dropping a hammer on sheet metal, because the result is that the reverb creates a big sonic environment that is super oppressive.
'48' reminds me a lot of the Vivek releases on Deep Medi, subtle drones, Rhodes chord stabs, and funked-out drum grooves, not to mention the rolling bass that fits perfectly with the drums. Each bassline note is accented by a drum hit that locks you into the groove, a continued motif into 'Her'. Interestingly, I see '48' as a creeper due to the imposing drones that inhabit the back of the track and the ghostly voices that occupy the front.
Back to 'Her', the most melodic of the offering, utilising a very dusty piano as the lead. It sounds like Vivek has used a few tape loop tricks this time, having a continuous double stab playing every bar. However, the two elements are prone to clash due to the similarities in the tone of the lead and sample.
Tracklist:
Shapes
Noir
48
Her
Label: System Music (2023)
V.I.V.E.K - Shapes
