Taz – Gold Tooth Grin EP

Many may not know about the effect of Glasgow on the modern day electronic scene, but if it wasn’t for the Numbers collective, then even the mighty Warp and co. would be artists short in the form of Hudson Mohawke, Rustie et al. No, it may not be the most synonymous with the masses right now, but the way the scene has been built and continues to blossom into new sectors of both the beat-loving masses and the international playground of such soundscape depicting artistry, it’s a joy to see such a consistency to their output, and Taz‘s Gold Tooth Grin EP certainly carries on this envy-inducing trend.

Title track ‘Gold Tooth Grin’ opens this luscious, genre-abating four track EP with an emphatic statement of Taz’s ever-so slight diversion from the norm. Riding on the scattered shakes of percussion and balanced by a combination of effortlessly soothing subs and sharpened synthesisers, the lead synth line plays the ubiquitous role of an infectious vocal line with the need of a grating throat pipe. ‘Robogrime’, on the other hand, takes a far more sinister approach to beat-led brutality with its smashing snare drums and simple two-step melodies. Warped, yet somehow harmonic, screeches of noise layer everything sweetly before the track dips

From here on in, the sounds take the sort of relentless tack towards the sub bass rattling sound systems that the collective are so well known for. At times, it hits well, with the beautiful, Ceramics Is The Bomb-era Chris Clark stylings of ‘Au Revoir’, but the brutality of ‘Strike First’ - described, pretty aptly, by the Numbers folks themselves as a “Glasgow anthem” – is where you’re most likely to hear Taz’s personality shine through both prominently and, most importantly, punishingly. Smashing through an almighty pummeling of sub bass with a cacophony of agitated snare drums and occasional off kilter rhythm changes may seem like a standard for some, but with Taz there’s enough nous to ensure that the track doesn’t lose its pace to a never ceasing current of lazy anachronisms.

It’s this level of subtle sonic complexity within such a cacophony of ‘noise’ that has given the Numbers collective their name in the consciousness of the beat loving masses, and it goes to show that even in such succinct forms of a four track EP, artists like Taz can stand out and make their own indelible mark on this pulsating, and intensely growing, new sound.