July: 6 bass & club releases you need to hear this month

Larry B '5 Sad Songs' (Moodiie Inc.)

A staple at London nights such as Body Party and PDA, DJ and producer Larry B released ‘5 Sad Songs’ back in March, an EP of five extremely deep cuts “from the room in Elephant & Castle.” Frankly, the record was slept on – it’s some of the best slow-moving, bedroom-recorded music we’ve heard in a long time. Larry B’s voice is immediately evocative, and likely to strike a chord within even the most reluctant of listeners.

One of the things this column strives to do is redefine the boundaries of the club, and with ‘5 Sad Songs’, Larry B demonstrates its power as a place in your mind, too; alone in your room, or maybe with someone else, you can dance and muse over the state of things. Opener ‘Over N Over’ pulses moodily over a backing track of rolling hi-hats and snares, with Larry contemplating connection in the midst of monotony. ‘Hit It Right’ is stripped-down and devastating, with gentle percussion and synth tones over reverberating vocals. This is one for those humid summer nights – indulging in your sadness has never felt so good.

8/10