Planet Rhythm and ARTS Collective champion Regent returns to SHDW’s Mutual Rytm, going all-in with dark, funky, and uplifting grooves on his latest offering, “Delta Hyve”.
It seems like Regent loves to take his time crafting cuts—not a series of cast-off tracks that are thrust into the void every other week. Regent’s modest touring schedule as a DJ really allows him to sit with his music like an artist, allowing him to examine the work and test out new directions. That’s what is evident in this “Delta Hyve” release. As a relatively young published producer, Regent is still exploring the sounds that take him to new places as an artist.
For example, you have the track “Ree 54,” which is a very emotive and fast-paced track that has a slight Detroit-meets-Dave Angel feel, but embraces and supports an entactogen-laced dance floor with positive feelings and high passed pads that sit right on your shoulders, having you grinning from ear to ear. Alternatively, you have tracks like “Opheal”, “New Narrative”, and “Presence” that explore dark atmospherics, disembodied voices, and steady, fast-paced grooves that are ready to tear up a dance floor with a deep hypnotic edge.
Then you have the title track that is mainly centered around a nasty, completely ill resonant bass lead. There’s a lot to be said about making cool songs, or the most impressive songs, but too few people really are focusing on making the most ill sounds available. You know the type of track… the one that just lowers your eyebrows, sets you up with a wicked grin, and your hands up, locked within the groove. As far as recent Techno is concerned, “Delta Hyve” is the illest you’ve probably heard in a while.
Last up on the release is “Rheplica”, which is certainly a summary of the styles present on the EP and where Regent is at to date. From the slammin’ groove, funky dark kick, and rhythm synth interaction, as well as the sick Detroit synth stabs, it wraps up the release very nicely.
Regent’s recent work is really exciting to listen to. Mostly because you know that despite amazing success so far, it feels like he’s far from accomplishing what he really wants to do. What that is, from what is evident so far on this release, might blow our minds open completely.
“Delta Hyve” is also out on Limited 12” Vinyl, which is a wise move on Mutual Rytm’s part, since the release is well worth owning in its entirety. From the support it’s gotten already on Bandcamp, the wax will sell out fairly quickly, if it hasn’t sold out completely by the time you read this.
-Sean Ocean
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