Roska & Untold – Myth review

A. Huge. Single. Out on Numbers – the sweet three-way imprint formed by Dress 2 Sweat, Stuff and Wireblock – this two-track release might just be one of the most hotly-anticipated singles in the relatively brief existence of UK funky. Known for mixes of The xx, Boyz Noize, Baobinga and (ahem) Ke$ha, along with stand-out tunes of his own like “Anaconda” and “I Can’t Stop This Feeling”, Untold’s subtle approach to bass music sees him mentioned in the same breath as Burial, Pangaea and Mount Kimbie. Roska has become something of an ambassador for UK funky, tirelessly dropping beats, remixes and originals on his own Kicks and Snares label and many others. Together, they craft a brilliant median point between house, dubstep, funky and grime that frankly bangs very hard indeed.

“Myth” develops from a severely distressed and descending bass loop into a warped and wheezy banger, complete with a lead sound playing Eastern scales and some ethnic percussion hits that really set the tune alight. The drums are pitch perfect, such is Roska’s incredible gift, while the development of the tune keeps it spell-binding despite being locked into almost the same groove throughout. On a slightly more Detroit tip, “Long Range” builds with some long drawn-out string notes over a highly funky conga beat, which drops into some lethal Untold subs and organ stabs – again all synched to the groove perfectly, with absolutely no extraneous sounds used whatsoever. It’s hazy, slinky and very very addictive stuff – just what you’d expect from such a collaboration from to dons at the top of their game.

Oliver Keens