Taking a fresh approach to a often saturated playing-field, vinyl only imprint Shall Not Fade mark their launch with a release from Australian newcomer Mall Grab.
The lo-fi stylings of Mall Grab has been receiving support from the likes of George Fitzgerald with his productions ‘Osaka’ and ‘Feel U’ on Collect Call. His productions earlier this year also found their way onto the forward thinking Vancouver based label 1080P with his release Alegy. To say Mall Grab has had a successful year would be an understatement.
This week he released his third outing Alone, a 3 tracker padded in swampy lo-fidelity compositions of light hearted textures and emotional narrative.
Happiness introduces us with a thwarting kick drum and three-step dusty chord sequence that envelopes you in thick textures. Orange County carries the baton, and whilst maintaining that energy draws us more closer to that quintessentially Australian sound of sampled up-beat groove, reminiscent of early Tornado Wallace or Francis Inferno Orchestra.
The title track however, brings us into a more cogitative state with solemn tone and a raucous bassline. But whilst the barometre is picking up within the second track, Mall Grab isn't trying to make floor-filling, ear bleeding anthems.
These are tracks you could unwind to, and embody that Vancouver Mood Hut, 1080P sound. On remix duties, Dawn draws this 4 tracker out on a more clubby tip, with heavily swung bass to kick movement and shuffling character. The three step organ chord sequence creates a smoky haze of badman temperament.
Alone EP is out now on Shall Not Fade. Click here for vinyl purchases.