DJ JM - Abnormal EP
Abnormalis the sound of DJ JM ratcheting it up a notch, both in production-value and musical creativity. The title itself stands as a compact explainer of DJ JM's constant sonic assignment – Abnormal consolidates years of JM's work to keep club music weird and unexpected. Retaining the chunky percussion and quick-stepping rhythms he built his name on, the EP also contains intricate, cleverly designed sound-beds, and extends the menacing electro-techno swagger DJ JM began exploring on his previous No Days Off and Squash EPs.
Preferring synths over samples,Abnormalis filled with sudden bursts of psychedelic melody, off-kilter audio-manipulations and bubbling acid-trip basslines. The tracks also have a subtle but distinctly Lithuanian edge, drawing influence from the iterative, morphing patterns of the folk symbolsand insignia carved into the remains of ancient settlements near Vilnius.
'Syze' bounces melodic percussive riffs across an arpeggiated bassline, with synth flourishes and talking drums squeezed in between. The title track, 'Abnormal', is perhaps the most stripped back, building a weighty atmosphere through increasingly choppy perc stabs. 'Erazer' strafes and weaves, ducking filtered pads and sliding scales through an industrial rhythm section. 'Pepper' closes out the EP with DJ JM's trademark high-energy vocal chants and a thick, slamming bassline. Each one stands as a "wtf was that?!" set highlight, a vortex of wild ideas in a club-primed package.