Feadz - Instant Alpha (2014)

Rap, freestyle, house, electro, and footwork are just some of the genres closely affiliated to the sound of French producer Feadz. A longtime associate of the Ed Banger label, Feadz has always been one of the most diverse acts on the imprint, which is further emphasized by the thirteen tracks on his debut LP ‘Instant Alpha’.

‘Instant Alpha’ is a collage of hybrid, energetic, ghetto-styled dance music that’s become Ed Banger/Feadz trademark over the years, but holds more than enough surprises to keep things interesting. Overall speaking, the album reflects a very intense and pure street sound, with gnarly bass buzzes being combined to electro/hiphop grooves, synth whirls and samples. The album kicks off with a selection of slow-jams in the form of the dark M.I.A.-esque track ‘Electric Empire’ and the Buraka Som Sistema-styled ‘Paper Cut (Paper Chase). The slow-moving and highly melodic ‘Instant Delta (Nos Two), built from very well programmed vocal samples and a static electro groove, is one of the early highlights, and is followed up by ‘Eastside’, a highly impressive beat-stuttering club track. Other highlights include the playful but nasty ‘Stick Builders’ and the ultra bass-heavy Big Dope P remix of ‘Eastside’. This record has ‘street cred’ written all over it.