NEWS
EVENTS
Review: Maya Jane Coles - 'Easier To Hide E.P'
Monday 10th December 2012 | Tom
Few house releases in the next few years will have been greeted with such anticipation and excitement as this, the latest musical offering from UK producer Maya Jane Coles.
Ever since her seminal debut release, ‘What They Say’ in 2010, Maya’s following has continued to expand, as has her back catalogue of brilliant, atmospheric productions. This latest E.P. is no exception. Opening track ‘Easier To Hide’, which incidentally is also one of the tracks that will appear on her debut album due out next spring, is quintessential Coles, demonstrating how successful she has been recently in developing her own distinguishable sound. The track even features vocals from Maya herself and these excellently complement the minimalist, deep beat and sound that float effortlessly throughout the song.
Standout track ‘Over’ is a beautifully constructed, relaxed track, that exemplifies what chilled out deep house should sound like. It has hints of the XX’s material, given that firstly it has a simple, delayed guitar riff constituting the main melody of the song, and secondly, that Coles’ voice is similar in tone to that of the XX’s Romy.
‘Run With The Wild’ reminds me of one of Coles’ earlier releases ‘Little One’ from her Humming Bird E.P’, but in keeping with the rest of the E.P, it is a far more relaxed song. Consequently, it is probably one more suitable for a night in than a club environment, unlike its predecessor.
Closing track ‘Back to Square One’ is probably the most experimentally produced track on the E.P, sounding almost like it would fit in on Massive Attack’s incredible work ‘Blue Lines’. A large complement indeed, but this demonstrates how far Coles has come in the brief two years that she has been around.
One criticism of the release that some may have is that all four tracks are quite similar in their relaxed, down tempo style, thus leaving the possibility for fans of ‘What They Say’ being left disappointed. However, when the tracks are as emotive and as well produced as they are, it is hard to fault the release as a whole. For, if it is taken as a stand alone piece of work, without the ‘What They Say’ preconceptions some may have, ‘Easier To Hide’ is an E.P. that cannot fail but to leave listeners satisfied and wanting more.
Lucky her album is out in spring then!
By Tom Hart
@tomhartmusic
www.tomhartmusic.wordpress.com
