OK, Accept, Continue by DEFSET
How vocals can soften the hard edges of electronic music
Other than an aptitude for technical brilliance, few obvious parallels can be drawn between someone making electronic music and someone applying special effects to blockbusters (like Harry Potter, Gravity and The Hobbit) but the UK-based Leo Neelands, aka DEFSET, clearly brings astute senses and well-rounded judgement to his work.
Tackling themes of death and the grieving process on his second album OK, Accept, Continue, he uses analogue gear and vocalists (MC Spyda and Jally Kebba Susso) to introduce a human element to the otherwise incisive production techniques heard on his debut Proximity. With creative sampling, data bending and machine learning tools involved as well, it's a fine technological balance he pulls off.
Like the best albums in 2024, Neelands skilfully mashes together all the genres. Influenced by visits to Gambia (to see his mother) there's a wordly, cultured vibe to the driving music. All ten tracks sound different but the organic flow, shaped by Dub Reggae, Breaks, Trip-Hop and Electro, is key in tying them together. You could guess Neelands has a proper music qualification because the whole thing is so well-produced, with tight drum programming at its core. With perfectly judged melody and plenty of pleasing, emotional sounds, even if the themes are dark, it's a feel good affair. In a fair world DEFSET would be blasting from every nearby sound system.