- As a dance floor manifestation of funk, the broken-beat scene has long loomed over Arttu's discography. With his latest for Royal Oak, the Finn makes this influence more explicit. Through its rugged halftime groove, "Evvy Steps" seems intent on evoking West London 15-odd years ago. Which isn't to say it's pastiche: that mossy thwack to the drums is a sound Arttu's been refining for years, and the ease with which he throws in a 4/4 kick and (more) rowdy bass work in the latter half speaks to his particular approach to songcraft.
The EP's remaining tracks follow the same recipe but tweak the proportions. "Ninja Man Come" favours technoid forward-motion over lumbering syncopation, while the weaker "Feed Da Bird" puts one of those commanding basslines front and centre. In all cases, Arttu's spin on broken-beat convention brings to mind A Made Up Sound, back when he was making funky, hard-swung techno. This is AMUS with steel toes on his boots, though, and a gleeful disregard for where he stomps.
TracklistA1 Evvy Steps
B1 Ninja Man Come
B2 Feed Da Bird