Gary's Garage Vinyl & CDs

Review: Gary "Gaz" returns with four more skewed UK garage cuts under the Steak Baked Garage Bakes banner, following hot on the heels of his first EP, not to mention an accompanying myth alleging a certain Greggs-pastry binging excess on the part of the artist. As ever, the music's as daft as it is deadly, with 'Gary Loves Garage' dialling in signature chordwork (emphasis is placed on the dominant seventh sharp ninth, an apparent harmonic staple of speed garage) with the sort of reverence that's turned Gaz into a kind of postcode-specific myth among local "deep garage dads". 'Gary Visits NYC (BA Premium Economy)' goes on to help us imagine a recent attempt at a trip that never quite happened, derailed by Wetherspoons and terminal confusion; finally, 'Gary's SP1200' is a wonky lament to gear forever just out of reach, while 'Gary's Pad Patterns' celebrates his most prized Zip disc like a sacred text.

Review: Gary's Garage arrives as a celebration of all things Gary, aiming to bring the name back into the mainstream by offering up a truly infectious garage EP. With four tracks packed with bass-heavy grooves and cheeky energy, it's impossible to ignore the pure joy of the sound. Kicking things off, 'I've Taken Too Many Garys' serves up a chunky, bass-driven anthem, filled with nostalgic vibes that instantly transport you to the good ol' 2000s UK Garage days. 'Gary's Ballad' takes a more somber turn, with a melancholic homage to Woolworths, capturing Gary's reflective side. Then, 'Gary's Garage (Is A Good Garage)' cranks up the tempo with a bouncy, feel-good anthem that'll get you reminiscing about those wild nights in Streatham. Finally, 'Nigel Garage' cranks up the BPM with a playful nod to old-school hardware, while poking fun at Gary's lack of an Emu SP1200. A fun, tongue-in-cheek reminder of the glory days of UK garage.