Late - Phantom Papers EP

Written by Youri Jozee

Helsinki-based producer Lauri Ampuja aka Late has providing us with a series of quality dubstep recordings over the past few years, including some real sick stuff on SKream's Disfigured Dubz label. Hsi new EP Phantom Papers contains a fresh load of moody, atmospheric dub.
Opening track Losing You has that melancholic Burial vibe (broken beats, dramatic ice cold pads, you know the drill), but incorporates truly beautiful vocals. The prototype of a dubstep love song. The track may sound simple at some points, but there's no denying that we're dealing with a superb piece of dub here. A2, Under These Conditions, is a more abstract dubstep tarck with playful but pitch black beats and proggy vocal additions. The several layers of heavy bass leave no room for happiness. Another tune well worth heavy rotation.

Flipping over, title track Phantom Papers combines slow, cut-up rhythms to pulsating synths and pads. A wonderful combination of transparent melodies with heavy industrial sounds. Closing track Bittersweet sees Late returning to Burial-esque dubstep as the song features more or less the same vibes as his Losing You tune. Not too original, but a joy to listen to nonetheless.

Late's Phantom Papers EP has become an introvert, emotive EP with very few real climaxes. But when these climaxes come, you better be sure to have a bottle of happy pills within reach. An outstanding EP worth checking out if you're a dub head.

Rating: 7.0/10
Label: Immerse
Release date: June 28th, 2010

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