Meant Like This

Mysterious duo Rezzett (otherwise individually known as Lukid and Tapes) make supremely lo-fi, blown-out dance music, sounding like uncovered DAT tapes of early-90s sessions that were just too weird to cut to vinyl at the time. The unexpected elements, the weird noises, and sudden bass bumps, are as much a part of their sound as the intentionally muddy sound quality. Their second album, appearing five years after their first with only a limited split single surfacing in between, is clearly titled Meant Like This for a reason. Their music is supposed to sound bizarre and mutated. If youre interested in pristine audio and safe, club-friendly track structures, look elsewhere, there is no shortage of music out there to satisfy you. For those who like house and jungle to sound messed-up, Rezzetts music is incredible. On selections like "Leg It," Rezzett contort early 90s hardcore breaks, bleep-techno bass, and trapped-in-the-machine vocal samples into tracks that burst with energy. "Spicy Pipes" is filled with jumpy, zooming noises that appear unexpectedly, and a joyous synth melody manages to surface through all of this chaos. "Hevvy" is heavenly atmospheric house with intricate beat programming ticking away underneath. "Vivz Portal" is confounding and utterly beautiful, loaded with bird calls and Dilla sirens, as well as a tempo that teases at jungle or footwork but doesnt ever arrive at a beat drop. "Off for Spots" shimmers and skips across a light but high-velocity beat, and "Bonjormi Spring" is just as fast but more committed to shuffling breakbeats. Rezzetts music has no shortage of surprises, and Meant Like This is as thrilling as any of their releases. ~ Paul Simpson