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RipItUp Magazine
EMU, aka Darcy Gladwin the artist and journeyman, has finally released One. After an epic 17-date New Zealand tour with Black Pantha aka Paul Stothers, an Auckland-based drum n bass producer, the country know knows his wrath. As a firm believer in letting the music do the talking, EMU has certainly taken his music to the people. One is a small collection of at times quite dark, dub influenced breaks and drum & bass. Not strictly dance floor-oriented electronica either, more on the experimental tip. While being confrontational and noodley, One is also deep, brooding and brilliantly produced. Particular highlights include Secret Remix and the dark ambient number Transcience.
JOE MCALPINE, DECEMBER 2004
Critic Magazine
I guess that it's easy to be sceptical about self released CDs with liner notes printed on recycled paper. emu, however, is the latest solo incarnation of producer Darcy Gladwin, who has been producing music for some time now, and toured Dunedin last year with both Black Pantha and the Monkey Records showcase. On his website, he describes his style as electronica, which really could mean anything. In the space of this 5-tracker, emu manages to move through trance and dub to breaks and drum and bass, without sounding as disjointed as a progression of that magnitude might. On Cusp Redux, he shows that his ability for creating grating bass lines is nothing to be sneezed at. Just because this is music that immediately brings to mind images of stoned festivalgoers, cavorting violently and spasmodically as the sun comes up, it doesnÕt mean that it canÕt be enjoyed through headphones or a stereo. emu has supported, amongst others, Minuit, and on Fly Funk, produces some oddball breaks in that style. Secret Remix is the EPÕs best track, featuring spacious female vocals, with a drum and bass beat and soaring synthesisers that remind me of very early Shapeshifter, amongst others. For all my initial scepticism, this EP is an unconventional musical journey with some familiar signposts, which avoids many of the pitfalls of 'mainstream' electronic music.
JAMES DANN, MARCH 2005
EMU, aka electronica artist Darcy Gladwin has done himself proud with this brilliant and beautifully produced 5 track slice of digital plastic genius. 'One' is a collection of styles that encompass the emu world. Hybrid elements of Industrial darkness, Dub, Breakbeat, Drum & Bass and fantastic classic analog Electro. Recommended.
MARQ BIZARRE, JULY 2005
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