Breaking from their tech-house status quo, Friday saw Dirtybird deliver an unreal EP from man-on-fire, Nikki Nair. Further straying from their two-track EP pattern, Power Tool features four inspired and ingenious productions that both; bridge breaks, DnB and old-school Dirtybird vibes, and apparently foreshadow "the label's future direction in 2021." So back to the future it is with this wicked EP.
Immediately awesome with its off-kilter groove and breaky drum beat, the EP opens with "Power Tool" which sets the scene for what I expect to be Nikki Nair's big coming-out party. Building around a sample from Notorious B.I.G.'s "Everyday Struggle," the title track is one hell of a screwface-inducer. There are no big drops or specific standout moments in this track, nor the EP itself, but rather the whole thing remains an incredible ride across a highly infectious and masterfully crafted Dirtybird debut.
Following the pneumatic power of the synths in the opening track, Nair scales things back in the subtle sophomore selection "In My Car." With a laidback acid energy and brooding beauty, it too showcases Nair's knack for crisp percussion and deft, understated style. And here I have to note its resemblance to the equally simple and equally satisfying Benoit & Sergio affair, "Walk & Talk."
Picking the energy back up as Power Tool turns to its second half, "3XL" again sees Nair use highly altered vocals around an infectious, percussion-driven track. With a dreamy and delicate baseline, this track may be the most immersive and progressive of the bunch as it evolves into a fabulous, acid-driven fever dream. Along with the title track, "3XL" is my favourite of the bunch and a surefire addition to my Best Of 2020.
Closing out this incredible EP, "Automatic" appears as a spiritual successor to "Power Tool," again utilizing some massive, body-moving synths atop a brilliant breakbeat. The rollout of this one is wicked and, like "In My Car," it reminds me of another old-school classic in the earthshaking sub-power of Boy 8-Bit's "Fogbank." Now, I'm not usually one to compare pieces, as they ought to be able to stand on their own, but I do so here to illustrate just how highly I think of these productions from Nair by comparing them to two personal favourite and timeless classics.