Intense Records

More [full colour sleeve]

£7.49 (£8.99 incl. VAT)

A. Phuhkwiddem B. Pain in the Vein C. More D. WIP Limits

What layers of the mind and body do the tenets of rhythm have left to help liberate? In our world, the cohesion between emotions, ideas, and underlying desires form our actions and behaviors. They are silently bound together by vibration. An energy to access a beautiful and empowering realm is within our mind and spirit. The liminal zone where these vibrations interact is where DJ and percussionist Mischa Lively thrives and seeks purpose. Furthering his ability to conjure metaphysical worlds through drums, melody and finding musical potential in recording household objects, his second 12", simply titled "More", finds him clearly sharing that within us all is the possibility to manifest these joyous worlds for ourselves - something far "more" than what's given to many of us in our day to day lives.

The record greets us, placed in the opalescent cocoon of "Phuhkwiddem", an otherworldly embrace of nimble drums, whispering voices, and glimmering psychedelia. Moments of buoyant sub-bass bumps and low-end warmth glide underneath a blanket of whirrs and a dizzying melody. The mind nearly floats away while the joints tethered to Earth sway to an irresistible backbone of extraterrestrial funk. Equally enthralling on headphones in the midst of a daydream as it is a moment of clarity for the sun-kissed dancers still moving at the end of a long night, "Phuhkwiddem" is but one example that exemplifies Mischa Lively's gift of deftly moving between vulnerability and catharsis. "Pain in the Vein" follows as a dexterous drum tool, perfectly situated at an intersection of organic funk between electro, breaks, freestyle, or the sprightly cousin of something released on Mistry.

On the flip, through vigorous and agile exchanges of kinetic energy and sanguine chords, the motivating undulations of "More" vividly deconstruct and rebirth several times during it's 6 minute length. The peaks and valleys give the feeling of nearing the end of a long, confusing journey, only to look ahead and realize the sole way to keep moving is forward. Sending the EP out with a bang, the delightfully swung "WIP Limits" bends and curves with bright and beautiful sounds reminiscent of early 2000s broken beat science transposed over the unrestricted bounce and playfulness of grime. 

Released through Mischa Lively's own freshly-established New Love Unlimited imprint, a portion of all sales from More will be donated to the Equal Justice Initiative - an organization "committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society."