This would-be follow up to Calgary band Azeda Booth’s Tubtrek EP sees founders Morgan Greenwood and Jordon Hossack falling deeper into the trances and loops that the duo only began to perfect as Azeda Booth. There is one extreme change up here, though: Hossack (now going under the Ram Hoss moniker) has dropped the baby-soft vocal tricks, resulting in vocals that more resemble his speaking voice. The opening pair of Heart and Copx deliciously rope you into the world the duo has created, while Joy School is a bouncy dream popper with curious vocal trickery, asking the listener to “get busy” and “really high.” Mukwah is a tiny thumper, led with a baby synth hook, and closer Waii takes things full circle, returning to familiar beats and even that heavenly wail. Over seven tracks, you start to miss Azeda Booth only a little, while realizing that this is simply the natural evolution. The free download can be found at http://free-ram-hoss.blogspot.com.

Published in Volume 66, Number 3 of The Uniter (September 15, 2011)