Wild About Wingz--a review of the first releases of his premier LP
It is no secret that minimal drum and bass is having its moment. From sexy, sad rollers to glitch and tech to funk, minimal can be somewhat diverse. One of the sub-genre’s ubiquitous producers is Vienna-based Wingz. He’s been producing for roughly 11 years and his debut full-length album, Ghost, is out this Friday.
I rarely pre-order because I personally cannot determine whether a release is worth ordering in advance with just one released track (I primarily use Bandcamp). UK’s Overview Music gives three on this 12-track LP and they’re all solid, so I made an exception today. I generally play digital, but there’s also a vinyl option as well as a USB option which hooks you up with four more tracks.
The first track I sampled today is a collaboration with MC and vocalist Rider Shafique. “Keep Control” is a techy and glitchy roller with a dark and distorted edge; the music is almost less than minimal so as to put the focus on Mr. Shafique, who very poetically sings about upcoming, unknown change, which feels appropriate for our era. Well-balanced and groovy, this tune goes deep, with a certain ominousness that tickles just right.
One of nine solo tracks, “Submission”, is a driving techy roller with wobbly basslines. Subtle amen breaks, ethereal sounds, and sci-fi sounds round out this funky piece. It makes me excited about listening to the rest of the album.
The last released track until the LP release is a collaboration with sultry-voiced DnB diva Collette Warren, “Forgive & Forget”. In this dark, sexy, and slightly sad roller, Ms. Warren croons about the title words while dark pads accompany the vocalist. The highlight of Wingz’s production in this track is definitely the fully moving and lively bassline.. This grooviness combined with Collette Warren’s emotional and inviting lyrics make the track, and I especially love the breakdown.
I hope these tracks moved you as much as they moved me. There's a lot of amazing drum and bass out there, and I hope that we can turn each other on to amazing artists.
Till next week!
Note: I did promise an interview with Hugh Hardie this week, but due to unforeseen circumstances I had to postpone it by a week. It’ll be live next Tuesday on the 21st.
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