Hyperdub, 4AD, XL, and now Big Dada have all served as outlets for
Zomby, whose three-track EP
Gasp! contrasts sharply with the previous year's largely skeletal and prickly Ultra. The concluding "Zprite" does offer ambient-knocking menace, but the two preceding cuts are among the producer's most physical and satisfying work. Built on deep, thrumming bass pressure and galloping drums, "Gasp!" works itself into a lather, then grinds to a halt. The vigorous "Zkittlez" enters with scuffed-up, machine-gun percussion and jabbing bass, as charged as
Actress'
AZD highlights. Despite the brevity -- roughly one-quarter-of-an-hour -- this is no minor digression in the
Zomby discography. ~ Andy Kellman