Lawrence - Gravity Hill [Smallville]

The head of Dial Records returns to Smallville in March 2024 with a new four-track EP called 'Gravity Hill'. Peter Kersten, better known as Lawrence, has been at the forefront of underground house and techno for decades. His label Dial, co-founded with Carsten Jost, has become a lodestar for many seeking raw, emotive, and understated electronic music, and Lawrence's own productions follow a similar path, finding a home on many beloved labels beyond Dial, such as Kompakt, Mule Musiq, Ghostly International, Giegling, Pampa, and of course, Smallville, which he co-founded with Stella Plazonja and Julius Steinhoff in 2005.

The lead track, 'Gravity Hill', opens the project and perfectly sets the tone with Lawrence's distinctive atmospheric haze of keys, chords, and pads wafting over oscillating bass tones and crisp drums. 'Beaver' follows next, delving into dub territories with expansive stabs, rounded subs, modulating percussive flutter, and a robust rhythmic drive.

'The Swamp' arrives next, venturing into deeper territory through airy Rhodes melodies and subtly unfolding pads, intertwined with organic percussion and a jazz-tinged bassline. 'Stargazer' concludes the package, returning to a more direct dancefloor feel via a nervous acidic bass, circling resonant synth licks, hypnotic textures, and a swinging drum groove.