Ian Blevins is from England but he’s quite the dude. This is his first offering for the ESP Institute. On side A, meet the happy beast named Hannibal, a big room tune that ticks every box your heart may desire — bone dry drum production, atmospheric arpeggios, soaring strings and pads, a beautifully sweeping bass progression and an overall sense of euphoria; goosebumps guaranteed. On side B, Welcome Aunt Poly cools us down a little bit — stripping back the instrumentation, minimizing any superfluous effects, and layering a sparse bassline and droning synths over a laidback 808 — all to a relaxed tempo. Blevins’ debut proves that from the right point of view, familiar elements and motifs can take on a new life whilst reminding us just how the rave can feel. These two songs will increase your serotonin levels.
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