Rupert Cross-Strapped Out EP (Ransom Note)

 

Title: Strapped Out EP 

Artist:  Rupert Cross

Label: Ransom Note

Cat Number: R$N48

Genre: Electro Disco

1: Strapped Out feat. C.A.R.

2: Blue Line feat. C.A.R.

3: Pepper

4: Dreamland, Dreamland

5: Strapped Out feat. C.A.R. (Miles Vandersteen Remix)

6: Strapped Out (Instrumental)

7: Blue Line (Instrumental)

8: Strapped Out feat. C.A.R. (Miles Vandersteen Instrumental Remix)

A decidedly off beat title track sets things off. ‘Strapped Out’ seems to be at odds with itself in the sense that C.A.R.’s vocals seem to be the glue holding two shifting sonic tectonic plates. If you’re throwing shapes to this you’d better be double jointed. The Miles Vandersteen Remix is the superior track in that its easier to dance to. As well as this, there’s more depth and direction. ‘Blue Line’ comes on like a lost, uptempo cold wave classic, blending a bittersweet melody with a deadpan vocal. It’s good and needs a longer edit. ‘Pepper’ is coming together of disparate digital frequencies enjoying a crucial symbiotic relationship; while ‘Dreamland, Dreamland’ goes even further out on a limb, emphasising the dissonance, but keeping it on a tight leash. An interesting mixed bag of beats innit.