No Brainer "Orange EP"

South London´s No Brainer is quickly learning the ropes on the electronic music scene. Snatched up by Audio Therapy in October 2008 to remix Oliver Moldan & Norman Zube´s ´Requiem´, he has found a home for his first EP ´Orange´ on Misfit Records.

With his appreciation for heavy syncopation at the forefront of his productions, No Brainer uses his technique across a range of sounds, from the sexy stabbing synths on his remix of Lea D´s ´My Destiny´ to the strings in his ´Requiem´ remix. His original mix of ´Orange´ is consistent with this theme. The opening of empty kicks and 808 fills disguise the direction of the track and it´s not until the bassline drops that the syncopated plunking has something to make sense around. Sustained buildups simmer underneath until the breakdown where warbling synths sing high and metallic fills melt together.

There is perhaps no better person to remix No Brainer than Robytek. While the former may stay closer to house where the latter leads toward the electro side of things, they meet at the common ties to tech and progressive house. While Robytek has brought bigger kicks and snares for his remix, overall his take remains more subdued compared to his other remixes. Driving his remix forward on a bassline that is buffeted by snips of the synths from the original, it shakes and rattles toward a growling and ominous breakdown, where the melody sounds as it has been bound and gagged. Climbing out of the additional layers of percussion, Robytek´s remix swirls to a plateau featuring sneaky stabs that feel like they were inspired by the soundtrack to the break-in scene of an old spy movie.

The final track ´Shimmer´ stays true to No Brainer´s tech sound with subtle variations to his still-syncopated synths. The focus of the track is pre-dominated by the top end; much of the counterpoint is between competing melodies with fills trying to get a word in edgewise. As the synths are overloaded with feedback and the track promptly collapses into the breakdown, it emerges cautiously and curiously. Galloping off to the conclusion, the track finishes on melodically bumbling fills and the percussion with which it began.

While ´Shimmer´ is arguably the most fun to listen to and Robytek´s remix of ´Orange´ the strongest all around, it´s No Brainer´s original mix of ´Orange´ that´s getting support from DJs like John Digweed and Jim Rivers. With forthcoming remixes on Bidder Deer Recordings and Dynami, the decision to keep a look out for No Brainer is just that. No Brainer´s ´Orange EP´ is out now on Misfit Records.