Hiber-Nation - Ara-U (No Static/Automatic)

 

Title: Hiber-Nation EP

Artist: Ara-U

Label: No Static/Automatic

Cat Number: NSA002

Genre: Electro

1: 2028

2: Viral XKP

3: Battle Royale

4: Hiber-Nation

Ara-U’s ‘Hiber-Nation EP’ is comprised of an engaging quartet of tunes which throb, menace and enchant in relatively equal measure. Each composition pulses with analogue energy and evokes its chosen theme dynamically and vividly. I suppose any track called ‘Viral XKP’ is going to be scrutinised more than most, and so it is both by name and nature that this releases best intentions are summarised. There’s a sense of creeping paranoia throughout these grooves which is epitomised by the arching overload flanking the beats on ‘Battle Royale’. ‘2028’ similarly employs dense atmospherics to enhance the threat of the unknown. The title track breaks ranks by sublimating the vibe into an electro sludge. All in all a great EP which carries more than a whiff of UR.