![july_03_[lxury].jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a85f41eccc5c5e40df9daf7/1534122066060-V0OVOYBARO6PY6GGCB45/july_03_%5Blxury%5D.jpg)
July 20, 2018 - Extra Free
I first turned my attention to Croydon Boy Lxury back in 2014 with his Greco-Roman EP Into the Everywhere and its infectious lead track ‘Pick You Up.’ That track was on a near constant loop throughout the winter, but I lost track of its creator throughout the years. Lxury, a.k.a. Andy Smith, has been busy those past few years, with a string of releases on what I can surmise to be his own imprint, Extra Free. This 17 track Volume 1 project contains tracks previously released as well as a slew of new cuts.
Artists of this generation have near unlimited access to all things musical — unlimited genres, unlimited influences, unlimited styles. This allows creators such as Smith to become the conduit or filter that ultimately chooses the ratios and blends to focus on. Vol. 1’s tracklist contains a significant amount of diversity; genres of dance music ebb and flow amongst themselves but never clash. Though expansive and more on the mixtape side of the spectrum, the project never becomes disparate. There are certainly some gems that shine brighter than their companions however.
Vol 1 opens strong with ‘Whatever You Need,’ a song both fast paced and leisurely at once. It’s got the feeling of being in a luxury box at a large sporting event — a relaxing environment with all the action a head turn away. ‘Acid Rain’ and ‘No Roads’ compliment this energy level offering sharp percussive loops and watery sample cuts.
‘Hunter’ is one of the standout tracks on the project with a slower more deliberate pace and a more concrete sense of space. The main synth/sample loop drips over itself with syrupy sweetness, but is carried along by the kick and other percussive elements.
The middle tracks of the project sag a little but the drive picks up again with the likes of ‘Sins.00’ and ‘Gaffa’ utilizing some 80s inspired, almost Röyksopp-esque melodic riffs. The final few cuts such as ‘Pretending To Be Awake’ and ‘Radio Fire’ have that raw sketchpad quality that is present elsewhere in the project and always refreshing to find amongst the overworked and extremely polished.
There is a lot to unpack in this expansive release. Smith appears confident in his craft but still flexible and exploratory. The lead up to Vol 1’s release as well as the material that was produced all have the feel of a new or at least more direct beginning for the artist. We will not lose track of Lxury this time. 🍍