Chrome Yellow EP by Niel Smallridge

Neil Smallridge occupies a special place in our hearts here at Republic since he produced the label's initial release, last year's seminal Buena Vista EP. So it's fitting that Neil returns for Republic's lucky seventh release. But if you're expecting a rehash of the sizzling, Latin-inflected sound of the first record think again. With the tough, stripped-down tracks on the Chrome Yellow EP, Neil takes it back to basics and affirms his deep connection to the uncompromising underground tradition of his native Northern England.

The name suggests something industrial but flashy, roughneck but classic, like a custom-painted Mustang or the trademark yellow safety stripes in the interior of the old Hacienda. It's an apt moniker for the fierce title track, with its old-school organ-driven hard-house -ska- vibe and its nasty tech-funk bassline. The haunting dub echoes ripple across the simple, spare drumkit, marked by deft buildups and breakdowns. It's timeless house, a huge sound that's hard as it is deep.