Various Production

Various Production - Took (Boomkat Exclusive) [2007/MP3/320]



*BOOMKAT DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE* Various Production - the mysterious collective responsible for some of our favourite 12"s and 7"s of the last few years always seem to be one step ahead of the game. Confusion, it seems, is something they relish, and finding a new and curious marketing angle their strength. Four weeks, four exclusive digital singles. So far so 'run of the mill' but did we forget to mention that these four singles will be totally exclusive to us? The plot thickens and we're not the only store offering four exclusive digital singles... yep - a couple of other shops are in on it too, and every store has totally different tracks. Are you confused? Well we are, but regardless of that, this first in a line of hot Various goodies is absolutely stunning and we've been playing it repeatedly ever since it dropped into our virtual laps. Leaning towards their thinly veiled love of folk music 'Took' is a creeping fog-laced anthem, replete with tribal thumping and a honeyed female vocal that's just sublime. It's gorgeous stuff, and as ever totally unexpected - I can honestly say I have no idea what the next installment is going to sound like, but like Pokemon you gotta catch 'em all. Stunning.


Various Production - Boy (Boomkat exclusive) [2007/MP3/320]



The second in our collectable series of MP3 only releases from the excellent Various Production and, much like the last one, we're still slack jawed. Following on from last week's " Took", "Boy" is once again shocking in its scope and for my money even more enjoyable. Held together by a plastic drum machine beat and a fairground melody, our initial thoughts were that this was an off-cut from the as-yet-unreleased new Beirut album, albeit with an otherworldly female vocal and a fisher price Waltz that evokes the spirit of Jon Brion and his distinctive soundtrack work. Various are forever defying expectations - and this is as far removed from the sizzling edits and bass machinations of the dubstep variations they are best known for as can be. A love song for the jaded generation, this is another essential Purchase from the Various Production line.



Various Production - Bun (Boomkat Exclusive) [2007/MP3/320]



The third of four digital exclusives from Various Production, and after the folky haze of parts 1 and 2, "Bun" returns to the mangled beat construction and grime variations they're so well known and loved for. Revolving around a metallic, filtered hook, this is fragmented sublow at its most advanced, emerging through a dense filtered fog with a sharp emphasis and regimented drops that sound utterly alien. This is what Various are just so naturally good at, roughing things up around the edges without ever sounding anything less than pristine. Killer material once again - Buy!


Various Production - Chief (Boomkat exclusive) [2007/MP3/320]



The best VP digital exclusive has been saved till last, with "Chief" offering up a classic blend of thickened percussion and a robust low-end to die for. It's one of those tracks guided by the machinations of Grime, the pace and instrumental clarity of dubstep, all wrapped up in the musical dexterity of a production team that forever refuses to fall into any pigeon hole. All four digital exclusives are now available - get the set!


Various Production - Nothing Left (Rough Trade Digital Exclusive) [2007/MP3/320]


Rough Trade Digital Exclusive


Various Production - Phortune / Limbs (Boomkat exclusive [2007/MP3/320]



*BOOMKAT EXCLUSIVE - BRAND NEW VARIOUS PRODUCTION RELEASE IN SCREEN-PRINTED SLEEVES MADE BY BONESY. HAND NUMBERED AND LIMITED TO 200 COPIES - ONLY FROM BOOMKAT. A REGULAR VERSION OF THIS 7" WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER ON IN SEPTEMBER* "Phortune" opens up proceedings with a wobbly Grime edit that revolves around Emma Pollock's sublime vocals, sitting with the track in a disjointed, misplaced and, of course, totally inspired fashion. Its the kind of arrangement that drew us into the Various universe in the first place and will offer dubstep heads among you something new to think about with its sick progressions, sharp drops and unexpected turns. Over to the flipside - and it just wouldn't be a Various release without a complete stylistic shift. "Limbs" situates itself firmly at the opposite end of the musical spectrum, revolving around a gorgeous acoustic arrangement that possesses a vaguely Parisian aroma. It's one of the most reflective and accomplished tracks in the Various canon to date and is one of the best things they've ever put their name to, complete with another sublime vocal contribution from Emma Pollock. And that's just the thing with Various - you never know quite what to expect, but you always know it's going to be so incredibly good. With another extremely limited run (200 hand numbered 7"s in these exquisite hand printed sleeves) - we strongly advise you to act fast if you want one of these babies for company - they just ain't gonna last. ESSENTIAL PURCHASE!