The Bug - Infected EP

I must admit to being slightly under whelmed the first time I heard a promo of this double pack but on further listening it is clear that The Bug virus is a potent strain and infects all who listen. The set's first track 'Catch A Fire' features Hitomi on vocals. Her opening line "Kids killing children outside my doorstep" is chilling and sets the scene for visions of the darkest side of the mean streets of London; knife crime amongst the youth, crackheads and pissheads. It feels apocalyptic but is the tale of NOW. She continues to state that the city needs to be cleansed by fire. An emotionally and social/ politically charged track with rugged bassline and cavernous delay soaked beats. If you wonder where King Midas Sound ends and the Bug begins then this is it. 'Tune In' rocks further variations on The Bugs deadly 'Poison Dart' bassline and features none other than Roots Manuva who's flow fits the track like a vacuum sealed glove. Roots' lyrics on this one are as powerful as the backing "Time is running out, tune into my voodoo..". Total class on every level. The mighty Autechre drop by for a remix of 'Skeng' and faithfully keep Flowdan's excellent chat reasonably unaffected stripping things back with beats that sound like blocks of wood crashing against the interior of a metal tank. The effect makes what was already a fairly un-nerving cut sound even more paranoid. The off-kilter bassline kicks in and completes the puzzle. Finally Scratcha DVA takes on 'Poison Dart' unleashing his trademark UK Funky style snares making the track sound like some tropical vibes are trying to break through the menace of the original. I'm definitely feeling his treatment of Warrior Queens vocal and the attention to detail with all the detailed electronics dropping into the mix. This is gonna find a good home snuggling up next to 'London Zoo'.