Brand spanking new EP from Tim Elliot, better known as Current Value was released this past Monday on Othercide Records. Titled “Rethink”, the EP consists of 6 tracks and 3 remixes by Signs, Dean Rodell and Billain. Now, I’m no expert at music production, but even I can tell that Current Value had a blast producing this EP. The sound design is on point, fresh sounds coming out of each of the 6 tracks.
Starting off the EP is “The Deep” which is available as a free download to celebrate the release of the EP. This track has a long but enticing introduction. Ethereal pads coupled with subtle hats. The industrial effects are added at every few bars create dimension. Soon after, the pads drop into a little darker segment and that’s when we are hit with an interesting blend of percussion and deep bass. The beat follows somewhat of a breaks feel, definitely isn’t the traditional fast tempo, it has been slowed down, with emphasis on the sounds used. Current Value uses what sounds like an engine in the main beat, dynamic and quite different, I enjoyed that element. He changes things throughout the track making it sound as if it was from a cyber punk, dystopic movie. There is so much attention to detail in this track, from the sound design to the tin-like percussion and robotic synths. An experimental track that I highly appreciate indeed.
“Steam Machine” comes in next sounding a lot darker and distant compared to the first track. This is where we hear that unique Current Value neuro funk, he is known for. Driving basslines with drum and bass beats, entangled in suspicious pad synths and interesting grunting synths. Clean and crisp, it is definitely a track to destroy the clubs.
In next, is “Serum X”. This track also follows the interesting minimalistic pads and a few percussion instruments in the introduction. A quick build-up leads into the meat of the track. An intense, deep driving bass-line fills our ears with a grungy synth pattern. It’s a killer.
Next is the title track of the EP – “Rethink”. This track has a more upbeat, uplifting feel compared to the darker sounds of the previous tracks. Needless to say, Current Value still maintains that edge of neuro funk. This time, he uses a washy synth melody to drive the track over a delectable reese bass. Changing things with heavier growling and grunt basslines. I think it’s a pretty cool mix.
Second last track of the EP is Plunger Coil. Diving back into those cyberpunk feels. Current Value starts up simple here, an alluring pad on top of a DNB beat, building up into an aggressive, high energy break. Current Value uses a washy, distorted synth pattern to drive the song, adding in glitchy, wonky sounds to enhance the track. All of these are brought together by the deep subs.
Last track of the EP is “Capsule”. A great track to end off the album. Amazing distorted basslines. Who doesn’t love good sounding distorted bass?! Well this track has some good variations. It keeps in with the theme of the EP which are those dark vibes, zone out and dance kind of feel. These tracks would actually do well in video games too.
As for the remixes, great artists each have done a tremendous job on the remixes. You have to check those out as well. Signs remixed “Serum X”, adding a faster paced vibe to the track, still keeping the drum and bass vibes. Billain was on remix duty for “Rethink”, a beautiful rendition of the track I must say. I love this remix, absolutely awesome interpretation by Billain. Lastly Dean Rodell took on “Capsule”, another banger remix. Amazing interpretation of the track, you need to check this out.
Overall this was another epic piece of work from Current Value. Fresh and amazing vibes. Judging from his latest work throughout the year, Current Value will take over 2017. We look forward to hearing much more from him, but for now bass fanatics, do yourselves a favour and support this guy, support this EP. Get it now.
