Beat Mob - Notorious Club Girls EP

By Paul Ballard

Released December 2nd, 2013

Wellington based producer Artur Aldridge under his Beat Mobmoniker once again shifts things sideways with this unblunted five track EP.

Brought up on a diet of eighties synth-pop, Ukraine-born Artur has been making waves in the Wellington electronic scene since 2011, supporting the likes of Joker, Lunice and Onra, to name just a few.

Through these late night antics, Artur has developed a good sense of what works on the floor. This is very evident here as he temporarily closes the 'trap' door to make way for something more house-inspired. Even the name Notorious Club Girls suggests a rebellious realm, not for the faint of heart nor weak of disposition. In fact, each of the five tunes presents an alternative take on things. A different part of the night's proceedings, each with a different smile.

The aptly titled Coming Home With You offers no sharp edges, enticing the listener with warm harmonics and lush vocals, whereas the EP's booty-bass title tune is far cooler by comparison. With its infectious bassline and off-kilter Simian-esque vocals, this one will definitely be heard across a festival field or two this summer.

There are also some darker moments here. Vodka, Rocks, Lime is like a ghetto-tech itch you can't scratch. Left-of-centre drum patterns and a dark Faithless-inspired vocal drag you through broken dissonant chords; andWhat It is? in collaboration with Jay Knight, follows a similar paranoid vein with trap'd vocal samples arguing for space between the piano keys.

But the best is saved for GSHOCK which is the standout of the five. Stepping things up a few gears, the Afro-tinged vocals quickly take shape beneath layers of bumping percussion, before winding things up a few notches in true anthemic fashion. Drinkers to dancers. Done.

To the more discerning, some of the production here may sound a bit done to death and formulaic in places, but at the same time it is the same brash 'hands in the air' familiarity that gives it clout. Artur has re-interpreted those moments with tongue firmly in cheek and for the most part it works well. Although less experimental than his previous NTGIDM release, this one stands strongly on its own ground and is hopefully a precursor to some interesting future endeavours from this young producer.

3 / 5