Pixelated

Japanese producer Quarta330 (Toru Koda) has been a part of Hyperdub since its early years, first appearing on the label in 2007 with "Sunset Dub," which was backed by a remix of label boss Kode9's "9 Samurai." At that point, his music was a deadly, utterly unique cross between chiptune and dubstep, and was embraced equally by both scenes. Things have changed a lot since then. Like many underground Japanese electronic musicians, Koda has fallen under the spell of the juke/footwork scene, and his music has become faster and more colorful. Following an appearance on the Hyperdub 10.1 compilation in 2014 and an EP for netlabel Sabacan Records in 2015, Pixelated is Quarta330's first Hyperdub release in seven years, and unlike his previous 12"s for the label, this one doesn't contain his remixes for other artists. The four tracks here are more ecstatic than anything he's ever done, combining jittery footwork beats and with lush, funky synth textures. "Yatagarasu" and "Digital Lotus Flower" still contain the 8-bit synths he's best known for, but they're mixed with more intense, high-definition beats than his prior work. There's also a significant jungle influence creeping into these tracks, with tumbling breakbeats bubbling up and adding an extra punch to the tracks. The dub-infused "The Fairies' Homecoming" does this to striking effect, and is a particular highlight. Not only is Pixelated an exciting new direction for Quarta330, but it's his best work so far, and points to even greater things ahead. ~ Paul Simpson