November: 18 albums you need to hear this month

Pangaea 'In Drum Play' (Hessle Audio)

Since its inception, Hessle Audio has been at the forefront of UK club music, leading by example with innovative releases. Label co-founder Pangaea keeps this fine form going with a masterful debut album packed with fizzing, floor-primed constructions. Throughout, ‘In Drum Play’ combines rave euphoria with intricately formed foundations: ‘Rotor Soap’ is a come-up distilled into musical form and ‘Bulb In Zinc’ packs serious bassweight. But while it’s markedly club-driven, the production also rewards headphone listening, with twisted vocal samples, evolving percussive lines and the gentle ambience of ‘Scaled Wing’. The result is a record that’s bursting at the seams with raw energy but also provides arresting subtlety.

9/10