George FitzGerald – The Let Down review

One part of the force behind East London party starters, Man Make Music, George FitzGerald (yes that’s a capital G in there), brings us a fantastic offering on Scuba’s Hotflush Two imprint. Moving swiftly on from “Don’t Stay”, his debut release on Joy Orbison’s Doldrums label earlier this year, FitzGerald finds himself increasingly on the territory laid out by his forefathers – Orbison included – a swirling expanse where garage, dubstep and a whole other range of hints and tones converge to form a blur of blissed out electronic beauty.

That’s not to say that FitzGerald is just a Joy Orb copycat. He’s not. He is, however, hotly tipped for 2010, and it’s no wonder why. “The Let Down” is a delicious, delicately structured piece, with slowly building vocal sampling blended into light, percussive beats and chiming keys, falling gently into a more ambient piece of gorgeously flowing, rhythmic beats, tripping breaks and rippling harmonies. Continuing in a similar vein for the flipside, “Weakness”, FitzG opens with a softly fuzzing intro, replete with shimmering synths and UK garage vibes in plentiful, yet understated existence. Executed with the prowess of a fully-fledged member of the Hotflush contingent, George FitzGerald lives up to all the hype here. And long may he prosper.

Review: Belinda Rowse