Space Dimension Controller – Temporary Thrillz review

There’s something undeniably epic about the skewed audio world of Space Dimension Controller. Musically impossible to pin down, with a sound and style all of his own, the 19 year-old Belfast producer seemingly knocks out next-level material at a prodigious rate. In the space of two brilliant EPs and a digital-only album – all released within the last 18 months – young Jack Hamill has become one of the most talked about artists in electronic music. Now, he’s popped up the revitalized R&S Records with a six-track double-EP that looks set to cement his reputation as one of electronic music’s most distinctive talents.

‘Temporary Thrillz’ is his most epic release to date, both in terms of scope and scale. It expands on themes previously explored on 2009’s ‘The Love Quadrant’ and this summer’s ‘Journey To The Core Of The Unknown Sphere’ (pseudo prog rock track titles being a particular fetish of his), effortlessly joining the dots between deep house, Detroit techno, 80s soul, P-funk, space disco, IDM and classic 90s ambient house.

Described in these terms, it seems a strange proposition, but Hamill’s genius is moulding his disparate influences into something truly unique. Take the blissfully other-wordly ‘Kaleidoscopic Ecstacy’, which sounds like an MDMA-influenced P-funk slow-jam as played by love-struck robots with a passion for Detroit Beatdown. Or lead cut ‘Mercurial Attraction’, which while produced at a dancefloor tempo sounds like nothing you’d normally hear in your average club. It’s deep, alien and other-worldly, but bubbles excitedly with heart-tugging space-funk riffery. On one level you just want to close your eyes and listen; on another you feel the need to don a bright purple space suit and dance like a chimp on heat.

Even Hamill’s most ‘traditional’ sounding house/techno cuts – see the title track and ‘Transatlantic Landing Bay’ – feel like they come from another planet. Then there’s his unashamedly downtempo excursions – the yearning ‘Simmering Emotion’ and ‘2HZ (Autopilot’s Lament)’ – which are, if anything, even better. Believe the hype: this is truly something very special indeed.

Review by Matt Anniss.