Chicago-based producer, DJ, and new media artist S4M23 puts out Angelface EP as the inaugural release on RAVE4EVAR, sub-label of the Los Angeles imprint Evar Records. On this debut EP, they deliver five singular and poignant tracks residing in the realm of techno while drawing strong influences from the hardcore and footwork/juke genres.
Curated by Trickfinger and Aura T-09, the RAVE4EVAR sub-label was formed to “embrac[e] more of an outlaw mindset,” as well as “create a place for rebellion to collide with rave.” The artist shares with Evar Records that the impetus behind this release was the “processing of grave personal loss.” Incredibly, Angelface was produced in a very short spell, during just one week in April. Knowing that an artist’s work was borne from grief can render it something triumphant, even as we as the audience do not know the significance of the artist’s process. Clearly brimming with ideas–and capable of their manic execution–S4M23 is an intriguing young talent to watch.
“Twister-cm” is highlight of this confident release. It begins with a sardonic robot voice that quips, “This is just noise made on a computer…anyone can slap that together in ten minutes, but sit them in front of a studio computer and they come up with this.” Challenge accepted! Cue a busy, syncopated kick, and soon, a grooving footwork/juke beat takes hold. A fat sawtooth synth melody creeps up, taking the track into the ether as a drop awaits. The beat returns in blistering rhythms– an invitation to tear up a dancefloor in the most anarchic way possible. Not satisfied with anything remotely formulaic, S4M23 keeps us on our toes rhythmically. Toward the end, a nice breakdown occurs where the claps turn steady to secure the beat, giving space for the kick to “ad lib” and have its solo. Stacked with frantic claps, scalding hi-hat hits and a passionate synth melody, “twister-cm” best be dropped cautiously by DJs, perhaps at a responsible venue providing free water.
“Heart-snm” offers a nice contrast on the EP from more vigorous counterparts. It begins with an ambient, glitchy soundscape that contemplates waves of emotion knotted in tension — sorrow, confusion, and perhaps regret. While still danceable, the melodic phrase in “heart-snm” wrenches something out of the chest when it starts, churning and eventually dissolving into an echoey cloud of octave chords. Some feelings, like harmonies, may never find their resolution, but are nonetheless put to rest with time.
The title track “Angelface-ik” leads us on a redemptive journey to the EP’s end. Beginning with a straightforward 4/4 kick and distorted snare hits, the track blooms when a harp-like chordal progression gently colors in the lines drawn by hard rhythms. A quirky bassline joyfully noodles around while percussive cymbals are carefully employed in reverse to create a “swooshing” effect, imitating breaths. Distant bell-like chimes and heavily delayed claps give the smutty percussive texture an ambient feel. Altogether, “angelface-ik” makes for a cathartic listening experience.
Future output from S4M23 is not to be ignored. Angelface EP is available digitally on most streaming platforms, and in cassette format from Bandcamp. Visit Soundcloud for a special DJ Mix version of “Angelface-ik.”
-Lina Xing
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