Machinedrum: Vapor City

Berlin-based Travis Stewart is a well-travelled producer who has delivered notable fare to labels such as Lucky Me, Planet Mu and Merck. For his debut Ninja Tune turn, Stewart does what he does best, stitching together a new canvas from such ripped and ruptured sounds as jungle, house, juke, glitch and trap. The formula has served Stewart well over the years, but it's also one that needs a little new juice now and then. Stewart's way around this cul-de-sac is to splice a little drum'n'bass into the mix here (Baby It's U) or some emo-esqe new wave patterns there (U Still Lie). There are times, when this method doesn't quite come together as intended, leaving Stewart with neat sounds but little meat. Much better is Eyesdontlie, which has the smart melody and meaty beats required for maximum intrigue. machinedrum.net Download: Eyesdontlie