Rizzla - 8/10
'Iron Cages' EP (Fade To Mind)
NYC-based Rizzla is part of KUNQ, a queer artist collective that includes False Witness and Juliana Huxtable, among others. He was also a regular DJ at GHE20G0THIK, and after being on the bill of Night Slugs and Fade To Mind's NY parties, steps out on FTM with his debut. While others are slowing to 100bpm, Rizzla keeps it at 140-150bpm across five searing tracks. Ultra Naté-sampling 'Iron Cages' (feat Odile Myrtil) is a tongue-in-cheek party jam that, under the surface, simmers with rage – as does the cathartic 'Fucking Fascist'. 'Airlock' bangs with machine-gun intensity and 'Twitch Queen' will make you flex. Lastly, 'Black Jacobins Edit' is an insular trip that references the Haitian revolution. Essential club music that works the floor, while dealing with issues beyond hedonism.