April 29, 2022 - Peach Discs
Darkness. Darkness and a sick beat. Sparks of light flash in the near distance. Sparks of light in time with the beat. Like an engine sputtering to life, the components of the cell begin to operate. The bouncy beat of the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, form anchor points. Plucky synth microtubules pulse in time. The Golgi apparatus, the main melodic line, guides the looser proteins on their journey through the cell, providing structure to happy outbursts of tone and harmony. At the center sits Dwayne Parris-Robinson, conducting the organic engine from within the nucleus. As the London DJ and producer raises his hand, new organelles and particles light up, gently at first, but stronger with each loop, as if gaining the ability to stay alight under their own power after a few moments. Parris directs listeners through ‘Summer of South West Waves’ in this fashion, drawing attention to a new element gently and subtly, until it has taken center stage, able to show off its uniqueness within the grand scheme of the track. There’s a sense of detail here that feels as comfortable on the dancefloor as it does in a science lab, as well as sharing the joy of discovery that can be found in both.
Parris takes a similar approach on ‘Dreaming of Sunflowers,’ a track that he describes as for the home in contrast to ‘Summer of South West Waves’ being for the dancefloor. I take the dancefloor with me wherever I am, so the difference might be lost on me. ‘Dreaming of Sunflowers’ is certainly a day dream, with golden rays of light bathing the production in crisp citrus and honey notes. Parris guides the track a little more linearly than the A side, with more distinct swells in saturation. Delightful hi hats feature prominently throughout the piece, leading the listener on a guided meditation of rhythm and dance. Parris’s sense of detail extends to silence as well, with moments carved out of the track at unexpected but perfectly timed moments, allowing for elements to fade back into the mix in a new order, like the shapes of light that race across closed eyelids. The energy and sentiment Parris has delivered with these two pieces is infectious and inspiring and just right. Excited for more. 🍍