When Brainfeeder’s eccentric but loveable beat wizard Gaslamp Killer goes out of his way to call an EP ‘absolutely sick’, it may be time to make the same recommendation. In line with GLK, Paper Tiger’s Illumniated EP is impressively varied and as it is super seductive.

Paper Tiger have come along way, since bedroom-producing futuristic hip-hop, broken beat and 2-step electronica blended with live instruments and musicians. The success of their debut EP, Worldwide Takeover, and single ‘Send Me’ on Jus Like Music, joined with their acclaimed remixes of artists like DELS, Dark Sky and Stac (Wah Wah 45s), have taken them far from those homely four walls.

Illuminated though is their best work to date. The seven-piece band from Leeds join with the fast-growing imprint Mind On Fire, crafting a varied and bubbling project full of bouncing dub, post-dubstep futuristic beats and percussion sounds that conjure an itch in your toe you probably didn’t know you had.

Bass-whooping opener ‘Delight Dub’ will have 2step heads tripping over themselves, while title track ‘Iluminated’ stands up there with those early releases from James Blake, Falty DL and Roska.

‘Modern Dymanics’ rounds off proceedings beautifully with an impossible fusion of galactic funk, computer beeps and instrumental drum n bass, playing like a spaceship tea party high on space invaders.

What’s more, each track comes with it’s own brilliant remix, like the vocal cut remix of ‘Modern Dynamics’ featuring the sensational sweet soul cries of Sabira Jade (of DJ Vadim’s The Electric)—indicating, if proof was needed, that the best is just around the corner.
Words Ali Raymond

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Buy Illuminated EP
Mind On Fire Records