Emerging Scottish DJ and producer Arkley has released his 90s rave-influenced Origins EP. The EP is a mind-blowing deep dive into Arkley’s hedonistic rave-era vision.
Origins was produced by Arkley and mastered by Mike Mash (The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Basement Jaxx) and follows Rave ’92 (Everybody’s Dancing) and his debut Music (Over & Over). Arkley has received numerous plays on BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio and has over 150,000 combined streams for his two latest singles. He’s been the subject of features in DMC World, Mundane Magazine and EDM Lab and has also produced guest mixes for Houssessions, Harmor On Mix and Trackwolves XL.
Origins doesn’t mess about: we’re dropped into the deep end instantly with opener Back 2 Love (House ’89), a thumping, vibrant, beat-heavy offering that is pure club vibes bottled. The unrelenting beat is peppered with vinyl scratches and the lyrics of “you know that I like you, baby” become a mantra. And if there’s any doubting what genre influenced the track the bassy repeat of “house” is there to remind you. Close your eyes and you’re instantly transported to the warehouse raves in their 90s heyday. A standout track that is sure to be instantly added to your next party playlist.
Next, we move into All I Got is Love where the garage influence is so strong it takes no prisoners. The bubbly synths are addictive and I love how they ebb and flow between the bridge where they make way for the pounding drum beat. The mix of male and female voices makes it sound like a dance off and they bounce off each other rigorously: “love is all I got, I got all this love for you” vs “oi you, what you sayin’?”
The EP is rounded off with Burnin’ (138 Energy Mix) and that title is in no way misplaced. Energy is what this track is all about: the fastest beat we’ve had, verging on hardcore with some unmistakeable Prodigy-esque influences, it’s a head-turner of a track. The manipulated vocals hark back to late 90s dance tunes but it’s refreshed with the heady syths and breakneck-speed beat. It’s a no-brainer go-to energising gym track or one to break out at a rave to get everyone up on their feet.
Arkley had a vision and he delivered without fault. Each track is standalone with its own unique 90s influences but they all play off each other faultlessly. Origins delivers the end of summer party vibes we’re all craving as we grab with two hands onto the last of the sun’s rays.
Origins is available to stream now. Find out more about Arkley here and listen to Origins below.