LV & Quarta 330 / Dong – Hylo review

Hyperdub brings together two of their label locals for two collaborative tracks on what is the thirty fourth release on Kode9’s famed imprint. here we see LV (we can only assume it’s not this LV) & Quarta 330 combine for the original production of “Hylo” and a remix of Dong’s “Suzuran”. Legend has it that this collaboration was forged the day after the label’s 5th anniversary party last November. The alliance works a balanced level between the two producers by merging their different sounds, with Quarta 330’s 8-bit abstraction and melodic tendencies contrasting perfectly with the lush figures and shuffling rhythms of LV.

“Hylo” sees 8-bit melodies made from rebuilt gameboys and sonic bleeps weaved into the crunchy snap of a reverse drum beat and warm chords. The harmonic and beautiful breakdown takes us into peaceful territory courtesy of a simple motif before the pace picks back up and we continue on our stepping journey with more splattered drums. It is an energetic mix of brittle and lush sounds which seems to sum up how the pair complement each other so well.

Next up, they work together on a remix of Quarta’s own remix of Japanese producer, Dong’s “Suzuran”. LV reconstructs the slurring space pop of the Japanese vocoder vocal melody into a remix that is constructed from syncopated drums and off key patterns of beep and bleeps. It creates a catchy but obscure sound as sweet melodies clash with shuffling beats.

This unlikely but attractive pairing has provided each other with a platform to successfully exchange relatively alien ideas and sounds. The unrestrained rawness of their work together both complements each others’ talent and provides yet another go-to release from Hyperdub.

Review: Tom Jones