22-year-old Rude Kid burst onto the scene 2 years ago with his ‘Are You Ready’ EP, since then he's worked with some of the best in the underground music scene including Ghetto, Skepta and Wiley, to name just a few. The 'Are You Ready' instrumental album is his third release, all three of which released on the fast rising label, No Hats No Hoods. This has easily been the most anticipated and highly sought after instrumental releases since Davinche's ‘Dirty Canvas: The Legacy’. Is all the hype worth it? The answer to that is yes.
‘UFO Remix’ is an amazing re-arrangement of the tune that cemented his place in grime's annals, with repetitive patterns creating that outer world experience much like ‘Emergency’. It showcases once more that sci-fi niche Rude Kid, has provided many times with its frank bursts of energy and twisting rhythms. ‘Jack Daniels’ is a certified club-speaker-impaler, with a whopping techno bass pulsing in and out across some funky grime kicks, a beat with so much power it is able to own its very own video.
Many have said ‘Electric’ is Rude's first attempt at dubstep, but quite a few tracks before it have been borderline hybrids. This time however, the explosion of raging bass lines and electronic guitar like melodies make this is a full on headbanger which would suit most sets, rather like ‘Aftershave’. The hook contains a heap of catchy synth motions which lead into some rather southern dance kicks, and Rude Kid's on-going dance affair is no more apparent than on the ‘Lush Remix’.
The darker sound is much more prominent on ‘Window Cleaner’ with heavier drum patterns and minimal use of the sounds that we're used to from Rude. The heavy, but-mellow tones continue with the emotion ridden ‘Leave Me Alone’ too. Rude Kid definitely confirms his status as a top five producer with this release. His clear appreciation for dance music and how it works, plus the darker tracks, makes this a versatile compilation of tracks from the east Londoner.
5/5
Rude Kid: 'Are You Ready?' - is out now.
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Words: Frankie Frank
Online editing: Joseph 'JP' Patterson
