Laurus Ascending by Bodhi

Welsh duo Bodhi returns to Hotflush Recordings with seven rhythmic adventures for the club on the EP Laurus Ascending.

Photo by Daniel Alford/Bodhi/Hotflush Recordings

Bodhi’s "All I Want" ‘kicks off the "Laurus Ascending EP" with warped bass and razor-sharp drum programming. Its deft synths bring fluidity while a pitched-up R&B vocal sample forms an irresistible hook. "Tri-fold" is more intense and rave-ready, with raw, bustling percussion and strobe-lit synths underpinned by distorted bass madness. The excellent "Reformat" collides jungle, techno, and bass into a writhing rhythmic workout, and "LFO2" is another dance floor weapon with pulsing, dusty drums offset by bright celestial synths.

The title track of Bodhi’s "Laurus Ascending EP" on Scuba’s Hotflush strips things back to a syncopated tech house and glows warm thanks to its subtle vocals. The pair continue this perfect sequel to February’s "Popit EP" on the label via "LFO2," which utilizes driving rhythm and distorted sonics to great effect. This is before "LVLZ" gets back to potent kicks and detailed hi-hats while twisted synths, acid twitches, and fractured vocal stabs run rampant. "Virtua Wing" rounds out the release with more well-designed jungle breaks that are backlit with a feeling of synth-induced euphoria.

Cardiff-based collaborators Luke Welsby and Olly Howells, AKA Bodhi, are on form right now. After ten years of crafting underground sounds on the likes of Unknown To The Unknown, Shall Not Fade, and Black Butter, they dropped one of their best EPs yet on Hotflush Recordings with the "Popit" four-tracker. Now, they are back with an extended seven-track offering that dives even deeper into their singular sound.

Bodhi - Laurus Ascending
Release Date 13th June 2024
Label Hotflush Recordings

Tracklist
1. All I Want
2. Tri-fold
3. Reformat
4. Laurus Ascending
5. LFO2
6. LVLZ
7. Virtua Wing