3 out of 5

Label: Traditions

Produced by: ?

The oddball, cosmic, video-gamey bounce on the B-side of Libertine sublabel Traditions’ DMX Krew release is absolutely worth the price – as a slice of masterful IDM-sprinkled electro, and as a prime example of Ed DMX’s ability to shift through eras, sounding retro and modern at the same time. The three tracks on the B-side all back their way into this sound with unique and quirkly melodies; of a like mind in top-down style, applying some classic Rephlex wiggle to an indie video game bleep bloop, but not substance – i.e. like different levels in that video game.

The A-side is more “expected,” to the point of being kind of boring, especially by comparison. Opener Permanent Reminder is totally solid DMX club work, minimalist beats and synths expertly layered and stripped back, but over the course of decades, Ed has done a ton of tracks in this style. This is a good one, just not a standout. Followup Hectic Lives is, unfortunately, much of the same, but commits the main sin of Ed’s club work: it goes on for too long without much to show for it.

So on balance, this EP is okay, but the B-side absolutely swings things towards a reason for checking it out.