P. Adrix - Álbum Desconhecido (2018)

Príncipe kick off the year with a searing début LP by a 22 year old producer of Angolan descent, raised in Lisbon and based in Manchester. Fierce but soulful hybrids of kuduro with R&B, trance-techno, drill and jump-up jungle – it’s a strong look for fans of Nídia, DJ Marfox, Arca, Sounds of Sisso…

Príncipe kick off 2018 in a big way with the remarkable début by P. (as in ‘Producer’) Adrix; a 22 year old artist originally from Lisbon, now based in Manchester, who is equally adept at crafting full tilt, teched-out bangers as effervescent electronic soul music. His first release, Álbum Desconhecido is a supreme example of the innovative scenius in Angolan-Portuguese music, ratcheting the thrilling dynamics of Lisbon’s ghetto bass sound with deadly edits and pressure highly compatible with the UK’s jump-up jungle, drill or soca grime vibes.

Building on ground-breaking work forwarded by producer/DJs Marfox, Nervoso, Nídia and Lycox in recent years, Álbum Desconhecido is jaw-droppingly fresh, even by Príncipe’s up-to-the-second standards. And like Lycox, who hails from Angola and Lisbon via France, it’s fair to say that P. Adrix’s relative detachment from Lisbon has also led him to break the kuduro mould in scintillating new ways, effectively mapping out and recombining a glowing flux of ideas circulating the Black Atlantic diaspora.

Delivered in 9 short sharp stings between the seasick drill of Zelda Shyt and the laser-guided trance lixx of Viva La Raça, Adrix trades in a mix of virulent, adrenalised energy and soulful rollige that sets fire to any ‘floor across the breadth of Álbum Desconhecido. It’s clear and present in the turbulent, rug-pulling subs and febrile polyrhythms of Bola De Cristal, and to blinding degrees in the high-wire tension and bone-freezing edits of 6.6.6, whereas the zipping flutes of Ovni bind roots and future with breathtaking, needlepoint incision, leaving Sonhos to provide a dead sweet, even romantic contrast with the melancholic meditation of Tejo for fine measure.

After encountering Álbum Desconhecido, there can be little doubt that Adrix is making some of the most exciting dance music in the world right now – a boldly expressive and immediately effective sound that drives listeners to a rare but timeless sort of rave ecstasy – thrillingly synthetic and infused with an unmistakeable lust for the dance. In the right hands, it’s dangerous stuff.

You’ve been warned!