Squarepusher – Shobaleader One review

The recent news that Warp stalwart and electronic wizard Squarepusher would be debuting his new Shobaleader One project on Ed Banger was met with quizzical looks by most. Yet this is not the first time Ed Banger has flirted with Warp Records, with both imprints co-curating a WARP-ED night in Paris last year. Furthermore, Ed Banger boss Busy P recently claimed this release, which contains a remix from Mr Oizo, was “my dream come true – two worlds, one release”. So how does the music sound? Well, “Cryptic Motion” leans heavily on vintage electro funk aesthetics with typically Gallic undertones such as robot vocoder. If your brain can depict DMX Crew being remixed by Daft Punk then you have an idea of how “Cryptic Motion” plays out.

On the flip, Mr Oizo focuses on the bassline, adding some pace to the groove which is subjected to typically unique editing. Somehow a bastard acid line gets dropped in and pulled in several directions simultaneous for a sinuous finish to one of Oizo’s more intriguing productions of recent times. With Warp having just announced details of a forthcoming nine track mini album from Shobaleader One, it will be intriguing to see where Jenkinson takes this sound.

Tony Poland