With a Vengeance＜Clear Vinyl＞

Lauded U.K. DJ Sherelle released her long-awaited first album as a producer, WITH A VENGEANCE, in 2025, two years after she lost her original, in-progress debut due to a laptop theft. Theres no telling if the albums title is meant to be a response to the loss, but it seems fitting for her aggressive yet ecstatic style. Much like her DJ sets, her own tracks blend jungle, hardcore breaks, and footwork into a delirious 160 BPM rush. The jittery beats and bumping bass of "DONT WANT U" lead up to the cathartic looped shout "I dont need you no more!," and the siren-laced title track seems like a celebration of freedom and independence. "XTC," included in two variations, is a vivid expression of extreme joy, particularly "XTC SUSP9ND3D," which feels violently happy. The garage-leaning "FREAKY (JUST MY TYPE)" is a bit of hedonistic fun featuring George Riley singing about desiring another girl, even though both are already in relationships with men. "SPEED (ENDURANCE)" is more of a storming acid techno banger, and "LOVE YOUR ENEMIES" adds dusky, distant saxophone to crushed jungle breaks and ragga vocals. Sherelle never misses, and on her debut album, she has no trouble maintaining the excitement of her DJ sets. ~ Paul Simpson