PREMIERE : Shli - Xylem

Les Yeux Orange

For Feeling Blue’s fifth release comes one of the most hotly-tipped producers out of Ōtautahi, Christchurch - Shli, making their label debut with new 4-track EP ‘Backrooms’. The EP feels like both an ode to classic, percussive club production with signature and recognisable sample and pattern selections, as well as an exploration of the new wave of underground, weaved with dark, clever, distorted and intricate melodic elements right throughout. The result is the perfect catalyst of current underground and house party “backroom” culture found only in New Zealand. ‘Anemoia’ kicks off laying out the sonic palette for the EP; a powerful 2-step beat, dubby synths intricately affected and interacting effortlessly with it, and a deep, wobbly bass wrapping all elements together. ‘Sepia’ moves to 4-to-the-floor, the kick sometimes broken and syncopated to continue its relentless movement through off-beat synth stabs and flourishes. ‘Xylem’ carries an early Floating Points-esque energy; cleverly stereo-placed percussion fills out a more simple but no-less captivating melody, the toms and bass line almost conversing with each other. The title track ‘Backrooms’ closes the project, seeing Shli flex his production prowess through atmospheric and downtempo hip-hop chops.