CAPE TOWN, 23 Nov
Jody Barr 'Second Vale' on Balance Music
'Second Vale' is Balance Music's 10th release of 2023 on Beatport, one of 16 the label has put out this year to date. The track, filed as Progressive House, arrived on the label in July, and Dosem placed it third of 20 in the Beach Kisses Chart on 25 November, a field that also carried Tokyo Fan Club's 'Circles', in the Marc Romboy Remix, on Bedrock Records, at 10th.
'Second Vale' puts its weight in the chords, running a dense hit pattern underneath. Levels and headroom both sit moderate, and there is plenty of light up top, a bright, full mix that fills out a room rather than holding back. Third of 20 in a chart this size is a strong result for a label that has kept a steady pace across the year.
The label said
Balance Music, Bandcamp about text · sourceAn artist who has made a name for himself with a cross-genre portfolio of choice cuts, Jody Barr has positioned himself at the cutting-edge of modern electronic music. Working from his well-equipped studio, the UK resident is “equally at home with melodic techno, acid and broken beats”, reinforcing a reputation that has seen him dine at underground dance music’s top table on a consistent basis.
Now making his Balance Music debut with the superb ‘Blue Rain‘, the title track is fuelled by a chunky rolling groove, fizzing hats and clave percussion, while a delay-infused synth line swims across the stereo spectrum in immaculate synchronicity and filtered intensity. Pausing for breath at a majestic breakdown, an emotive piano progression creates a light sonic touch in combination with warm sustained pads before the rhythm and melody of earlier movements hit their mark once more in the second half.
Driven by a deep kick and silky-smooth percussive backdrop, ‘Second Vale‘ quickly takes shape with its gloriously sustained bassline sequence. Full of emotion and dancefloor intent, melodic flourishes coruscate atop in perfectly cadenced patterns while a stripped back breakdown introduces a swathe of breathy vocals. Evolving easily through the rasping and pulsating bass sequence, ‘Second Vale‘ is certain to find favour with the DJ glitterati across the globe in spring and summer 2023.
Through a twin-track EP of the highest order, Jody Barr looks set to shower dancefloors with ‘Blue Rain‘.