Dj Sneak - Synesthesia EP [Heist Recordings]

DJ Sneak goes back to his roots with his Synesthesia EP on Heist Recordings.

Last year, during a visit to our studio at ADE, we spoke at length about his renewed passion for house music, making music in the current landscape, and how he had left behind everything that had bothered him about the scene for a long time. At one point, he took several of his hard drives, fired up our Dave Smith & Pioneer Toraiz sampler (the same one we used for our live shows and his go-to tool for producing and arranging his music), and showed us what must be one of the most impressive demo collections we've ever seen. He explained his ideas for a new record on Heist with the same excitement as a producer who had just bought his first MPC60 in the 80s. His Back to Love EP was yet to be released, and we already knew that the next one would be just as amazing.

A year later, after an incredible reception to his Heist debut from platforms like XLR8R, DJ Mag, Faith fanzine, and extensive radio coverage, plus support from artists such as Joy Anonymous, Louie Vega, Jamie Jones, Honey Dijon, TSHA, DJ Seinfeld, Jennifer Cardini, and Carista, his new Heist record arrives: Synesthesia EP. This work is another example of DJ Sneak's pure talent, mastering his equipment and creating tracks brimming with references to classic Chicago house, 90s euphoria, and robust synthesizers.

The EP kicks off with I Can Tell What You Want, a deep, bubbling groove where Sneak uses daring cut-up R'n'B vocals and adds a touch of the ghetto sound he adopted in his formative years in Chicago. He takes that influence and delivers something completely contemporary with catchy vocals, melancholic chords, a powerful bassline, and clever sampling.

If the first track embodies his Chicago spirit, A Taste of the 90s reflects his New York essence. With funky guitars, keyboard licks, cyclical horns, flowing percussion, and multiple arrangement changes, he masterfully shows us the joy of classic house. There's always an element added or removed to create tension or release energy, all accompanied by a powerful bassline. It's a true party starter, with the energy of a young Sneak spinning his first records.

On the B-side, Dirty Jazz offers us delightful Deep House built on asymmetric drums, a syncopated bassline, and quirky sample cuts. It has enough weight to keep the energy going and just the right amount of weirdness to grab attention every time it plays.

The closer, You Know What I Mean, adds another layer of strange vocals that will stick with you long after the song ends. This track, and the entire EP, emanate the playful energy of a producer completely in tune with his musicality. It's fun and full of class, delivered with the sophistication that only an underground hero like Sneak can achieve.

On Synesthesia EP, DJ Sneak takes you on a deep journey through his musical roots and keeps you on the edge of your seat with 4 tracks brimming with personality.

Grab this record while you can and spread the love!
Heist Recordings.