Stumbleine / Ghosting
Vinyl / Digital
Hija De Colombia / Released June 2012
What does it sound like?
Recent focus of our imprint interview series Around the world in 80 labels, Hija De Colombia arrive with not just the label’s fourth release, but also something of a departure from the usual fare this Bosnian crew are slowly becoming known for. Aptly titled, thanks to its nu-school disparate vocals and searing background melodies, this is more Burial than deep house, albeit with the urban lights at night turned down, and some continental flavour added to the mix.
This kind of makes sense, as the music itself comes from Bristolian Stumbleine, a city best known for its output in the genres that have flourished since dubstep’s arrival (regardless of the fact they often bear little in terms of similarity with the early, fart fuelled incarnations of that genre). Far from the most established face on the scene, Ghosting is both a promising start for producer (as this eight track EP represents some of his earliest chill-wave arrangements, held back and now unveiled), and a sign of the organisation’s open mindedness. Saturated in everything from strained guitar strings, to warm keyboards, it’s certainly not for dancing, though that shouldn’t put anyone off.
What highlights can I expect to hear?
Despite clearly showing a differentiation in terms of style when compared with previous Hija releases, the octuplets offered here all fall under the same opiate, glo-fi gaze. As such it’s really down to nuances, with each offering an impressive amount of hazy, near-euphoria. That said, if someone suggested the highly atmospheric and otherworldly Try To Remember Me, we’d have to agree, given its crunching but occasional beat, and vocal structure give it a little more coherency, coming close to pop or the strange R&B in a church of How To Dress Well.
Where can I buy it?