Ryan Crosson - What State I'm In

Monologue is a brand new label founded by the AltaVoz creator Max D. Blas and the producer and Kosmophono label owner Alex Piccini, that comes out of the blocks firing on all cylinders thanks to an essential EP from Ryan Crosson.

Crosson, of course, has long been a part of the Visionquest collective, as well as having his own esteemed back catalogue wth releases on labels like Minus, Mdrnty and Brachtune. The Detroit artist is always evolving, and here shows us his grasp of elastic groove and freaky atmospheres is as strong as ever.

The title track is up first, What State I'm In featuring Cari Golden. It is a high tempo, high intensity track with slick and quick drums and hits and molten sci-fi melodies all racing along and taking you with them. Golden's vocals are hurried in the mix to add extra freakiness and the whole thing really sucks you in.

Dumb Dancin' is up next and is eight minutes of loose limbed and liquid minimal techno. Claps bring funk, the drums are restless and infectious and subtle vocals are like whisps of smoke that come and go to add real steam to the groove. Wonky synths blurt out at the mid-point and are sure to blow minds when heard in some darkened club.

Guti is a long time South American talent with ties to Desolat and Be As One amongst others. Here he remixes the original into something more pumping and heads down, a driving track for the dead of night. All in all this is a fine way to kick off what is sure to be an essential label.