In Session: Mr Mitch

Mr Mitch, aka Miles Mitchell, is a seminal figure shaping the grime game, one instrumental at a time.

Unlike the often formulaic restrictions of garage or dubstep, the hybrid qualities of grime mean new sounds can evolve as fluidly as the genre itself. Today, its softer side ebbs and flows from the constructions of club and reimagines the possibilities of a 140 bpm cut, pushing it into something equally delicate and cutting. It's this approach that underpins his distinct sweet-boy sound, with a self-assurance that comes with being one of the best in the scene.

As grime continues its rightful insurgence into the charts and out from the underground, a new wave of producers and selectors are following on from the example set by Mr Mitch and the stylised visions of cityscape reflection he’s built his foundations upon. Exploring new avenues beyond the boundaries of the genre as it mutates and shifts into a whole new territory of weight-shifting production.

Take Boxed, the celebrated London club night and radio show he co-helms alongside Logos, Oil Gang and Slackk, which has created a party space for experimental bass offerings – without the need for an MC. Or just look at his own imprint Gobstopper Records. Launched back in 2010, he’s been at the forefront of a musical movement and has welcomed the likes of Dark0, Tarquin and Loom to the label with their similar instrumental inspirations.

His last LP, ‘Parallel Memories’ was a pragmatic release. Synth-packed and skeletal, it's a careful demonstration of the capabilities of club-not-club electronic experiments and one that moves well into newer projects.

With the forthcoming ‘Devout’, out April 21, appearing to tread into more palatable 'pop' territory than 'Parallel Memories' and other previous offerings, it’s a highly personal project, discussing Mitchell's role as a father figure and emotional prospects of love, family and loyalty. This thoughtfulness is overwhelmingly apparent in both the instrumentals and the vocals, with features from P Money, Duval Timothy, Denai Moore, Palmistry and Py.

Coming in at just over an hour, his In Session mix is an introverted take on contemporary bass with a step back into the old school crooning’s of r‘n’b, with all the usual slickness and soul he's known for. Melodic vocals, emotionally-charged hooks and blissfully sweet spaces, it’s a selection made for the dancefloor and the headphone listener alike. Exploding abruptly at points with bursts of otherworldly drums, dubstep and dark raucous noise before reverting back to his more signature sound, it's an immersive display of reserved energy and experience. Trust us, this is not one to be slept on.

‘Devout’ is set for release April 21 on Planet Mu, check it out here

[Photo Credit: Piotr Niepsuj]