De-Evolution Part 2 is a new EP released by The Upbeats on August 5th. If you recall, Disposable Media covered De-Evolution Part 1 last April and concluded that even though some of the tracks were quite “safe”, it made for a generally satisfying whole and people will find at least one favourite track on there (Disposable Media still hasn’t got tired of listening to Elevator.) I wasn’t certain about when part 2 would be coming, but around the end of July I found news about the release. Lasting around 23 minutes, this five-track EP still has plenty to enjoy and moves at a frenetic pace; if you were a fan of part 1, this collection of tracks is pretty easy to recommend.
De-Evolution Part 2 – Mediums and Joyrider
The opening track of De-Evolution Part 2 is Mediums, and it was one of the first tracks I heard after The Upbeats shared it on their soundcloud page so that fans could stream it. Mediums kind of picks up where the final track from De-Evolution Part 1 (Elevator) left off – in both tracks the pace is nice and fast, the rhythms are great, and there’s enough variety in the tracks that they never feels too repetitive. Mediums even has a quiet interlude some three minutes in that helps to break things up, and the track is over before you start to think it’s at risk of outstaying its welcome.
The next track – Joyrider – continues the theme of big beats and fat bass noise, but not before it eases the listener in with a rapid succession of gentle beeps, some distant orchestral hit-style sounds and then some intro noise before the first big build-up works its way up to the drop. It’s an impressive escalation, and the payoff comes in the form of hard and fast drums that are set to a rather unique rhythm that is nevertheless easy to get behind. Having said that, the track doesn’t go through as much change and variation as some might like – there’s a brief moment of respite where the drums are taken out, but afterwards it returns to the themes that had already been established before.
De-Evolution Part 2 – Say Go
Say Go begins with distant chants, rich ambience and moody vocals from Mara Tk that continue to permeate the track after the beat drops. It makes for a pretty good sound, and the instruments do a good job of keeping things interesting as the main rhythm is taken out and brought back. That being said, it’s a track that shows everything it has to offer fairly quickly, and some might thing that it’s a little plain. I’m undecided myself, but there’s a chance that it’s the kind of thing that would improve with repeat listens.
De-Evolution Part 2 – Babylon and No Surprises
Just like Elevator turned out to be my favourite track from De-Evolution Part 1, I can’t help but feel that some of the best material in De-Evolution Part 2 can be found towards the end of the EP. Babylon has quite an unassuming intro that’s given some flavour thanks to the involvement of Orifice Vulgatron, but once the first vocal is over the track winds down a little before building up to one of the best beats on the EP. The fast rhythm and varied effects do enough to get heads nodding and as the track continues it never loses its momentum or gets too samey. There’s also a great shift in rhythm during the final minute or so of the track which is easy to appreciate.
The final track of the album – No Surprises – may be the shortest track of the five, but it’s still pretty good. It begins with melodic beeps and a deep, steady rhythm that soon makes way for faster beats that settle into a good rhythm whilst the melodies and effects create a great atmosphere and bring the RP to a satisfying close. As I mentioned, this EP is well worth listening to if you enjoyed part 1, and at the time of writing it’s available on Spotify if you want to check a stream first.