Paul & Shark throw down ravey breakbeat and mischievous UKG for a 90’s extravaganza guest starring Maruwa and Stones Taro.
Crunchy spiked hair, shark tooth necklaces, The Gap – some 90’s fads are better left in the 90’s. But not all things 90’s are bad. Indeed, just as AOL Instant and Mario Kart were settling into their heydays, rave culture was born.
Although it dates back to the 90’s, the rave sound is alive and well. Case in point: Paul & Shark’s latest release, FREETIME 004. The release is hot off the press of P&S Free Time Discs, a Paris based label run by Paul and Shark and supported by the likes of Annie Mac, Asquith, and Shadow Child.
Just like the parties it inspired, the rave sound is big. Big synths, big basslines, and big breakbeats are the tools of choice for catching the ears and hearts of rave revelers. “T-800 Type Beat,” track one on FREETIME 004, is epic from the jump. Springy neon chords pop. A hyper charged string melody quickly joins. It’s a burst of underground dance music sugar. Snappy breakbeat snares crackle through, creating a quintessentially ravey sound. Then a shift. A grinding yet swift bassline takes over, flanked by soulful vocal blips and cartoonish zips. Who knew a tune could light a sparkle in our eyes and kick us in the ribs all within sixty seconds?
There’s more fun to be had on track two, Maruwa’s remix of “T-800 Type Beat.” Maruwa takes her time. Initially, a simple kick drum and hi-hat do most of the talking. A muffled acid line slowly emerges from the depths, eventually taking over the spotlight. Slow string chords and subtle piano riffs add color, but fall away, letting the kick and acid line again take center stage for the tune’s climax. It’s a surging, rolling energy – a perfect 3am warehouse jam, en route to a 6am finale.
Track five, “Roxanna_Break_Stuff (Stones Taro Remix),” closes out the release with a darker energy. Stuttering UKG drums cut up the bright mood that chugged steadily forward throughout the previous tracks. On the low end, a grimy bassline spells mischief. Higher up, icy chords stab through, creating a piercing ominous mood. It’s the all-black flipside to the neon stylings of “T-800 Type Beat.”
In 2021, FREETIME 004 brings us back to rave’s 90’s roots with big, euphoric, charging energy. Full speed ahead, forever.
-Forest Lieberman
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