Experimental Saint Petersburg-based sonic shapeshifter Bop is back on Hospital Records with his brand new five-track ‘Perehod’ EP that ventures afar from his usual drum & bass status as he spans through 2-step, breakbeat and ambient: all with his spellbinding signature production finesse which has already received the seal of approval from the likes of Ejeca, London Elektricity, Alec Falconer, Because Of Art and Oneman.
Opening piece ‘NDE’ casts Bop’s archetypal and skittery off-beat rhythms across a palate of soothing synth pads, adventurous arpeggios and dusty hoover bass drones. Subtly funky throughout, the tinges of garage vocal stabs shimmer across this imaginative stepper.
‘Take Your Time’ offers up thought provoking chord progressions amongst Bop’s contemplative sound . A super low-slung drum pattern makes way for the crisp, immersive vocal tones that flutter elegantly above.
Switching to fifth gear, ‘Beach Simulator 3D’ leads the charge with up-tempo breakbeats racing across dubby chord stabs and eerie percussive effects. A late-night ride you’ll need to buckle your seatbelt for, Bop initiates intergalactic mode on this one.
‘Skolzkaya Dorozhka’, meaning ‘Slippery Slope’ in Russian, is a wobbly dub groove that channels styles from mid-noughties DMZ and Tempa releases, a heavy sub drives through a minimalist half-time groove.
Finally, the 150+ BPM whopper ‘Hiding’ is a nod to Bop’s love for dance music which can be found at the faster end of the electronic spectrum. Ticking hats and warm atmospherics are the perfect wrap-up to a truly special release.
No stranger to pioneering successful moves outside the realms of 174BPM, Bop secured the number 1 spot on the Beatport Garage chart alongside Subwave with ‘Haze’. With support over the years from the likes of DJ Mag and Resident Advisor, as well as radio support on BBC Radio 1, Rinse FM and Reprezent, not to mention the running of his very own esteemed Microfunk imprint, Bop continues to affirm himself as an undeniable dance music pillar.
