Quivering In Time

Eris Drews first full-length contains nine tracks that each function like boiled-down versions of her legendary DJ sets. Instead of building her tracks around specific hooks or melodies, she goes headstrong and skips from sample to sample, gluing them together with copious amounts of turntable scratching, as well as her own percussion, keyboards, and guitar playing. Having come of age in Chicagos rave scene during the early 90s, Drew prefers heavy, driving breakbeats and loved-up, spiritual house vibes, but she pulls from trance, electro, and acid as well. There are iconic samples strewn about (Candi Staton, James Brown, the bit from Wild Angels that Primal Scream used in Loaded), all reflecting the history of dance culture and lending to a sense of cosmic familiarity. Ride Free begins with a spoken message about the primacy of direct experience, stating that the real universe is within your reach, always. While the album doesnt quite hit the staggering heights of Drews sublime 2018 single Hold Me, its still an incredibly fun, carefree release. Drews music stresses the importance of the communal rave experience, and reminds us that everything is possible. ~ Paul Simpson