SLOE JACK - 'BRAIN ROT'

Aussie energy-merchant returns.

This is the first venture from SLOE JACK since his blistering 2022 release ‘BACKSTAB’ with the first sample from his yet-unannounced new collection of tunes. Not for the faint-hearted, his tightly compressed, almost claustrophobic production has a relentless feel that keeps pounding. With aggressively repetitive lyrics, SLOE JACK rhymes like a welterweight boxer, snapping and jabbing at you til you’re bruised and bloody.

“Break shit, getcha with the brain box
Break shit, yeah, get your fists up like this”

It’s surprising really, considering how chilled he seems in interviews, maybe the catharsis of his music keeps him level. And cathartic it is, a speed bike at full pelt with no helmet, and a loose yet intent formula. The punked up bass draws us in, thin and insistent in the beginning, fat and rubbery once the drums come into play. Cruising on pure momentum, this 96 second banger runs on aggression. No peace and love to be found here. No religious statements, no hallelujahs, though we do get an amen break, teased gently for a moment, now the centre point from here on in. Suddenly we’re in Drum and Bass territory, with hints of that old UK Garage sound. Freely willing to span genres, the only consistency seems to be “keep it banging!”.

It’s almost over before it’s begun, the abrupt closing leaves you eagerly anticipating the next swing. What’s next from SLOE JACK? We’ll have to wait and see, but rest assured, he’ll almost definitely try and punch you in the face (metaphorically, at least).

Words by Harry Jones

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WTHB OnlineJuly 13, 2023Single Review, Reviews