Octo Octa, ‘Between Two Selves’

OCTO OCTA

Between Two Selves

Since decamping to Brooklyn — as a promising young producer is wont to do — Michael Bouldry-Morrison, a.k.a. Octo Octa, began sketching out the ideas for his left-of-center house music style in New Hampshire. His impressive, thought-provoking debut LP consists of even further geographic excursions. Released on the LA-based 100% Silk label, its hazy aesthetic, with bright moments of sunshine peeking through the smog, conjures that coast’s general demeanor, but the style on many of the tracks runs parallel to the UK’s current throwback house fixation, albeit with a more minimal approach. “Bad Blood” and “Come Closer” employ au courant pitch-shifted R&B vocal sampling, but to contrasting effect. The former is a study in reserve, a heavy-breathing effect echoing the rhythm throughout, while the latter is full of ascendant energy. That’s relative, of course — this is by no means a happy-sounding dance party. First single “Work Me” comes closest to resembling joy, with an insistent, repetitive synth riff manipulated in and out of compression. Octo Octa is at his best here working the reflective inner corners of the club mind, as on “Uneasy” a bass-forward track of pensive momentum. (Out now).

ESSENTIAL “Uneasy”