Hammer returns to his arpeggiated roots with three fresh cuts on Clash Lion, while label head Terr adds her own remix. London-based, Belfast-born Hammer has been lighting up dance floors with his powerful yet richly layered cuts for the last few years. He can do everything from trance to techno to disco, as was often highlighted on the legendary Feel My Bicep blog he co-ran with friends Bicep. Now running three labels – one for his own edits, plus Remmah, which launches new talents and Italo Hiits, which is all about high-energy sounds, he has also landed on an array of other top labels; Optimo Music, Sulta Selects and Unknown To The Unknown have all played home to his music. Out of the studio, he has done live streams at the Saatchi Gallery with Feel My Bicep, shows for Boiler Room and has played all over Europe, from fabric to Glastonbury. He works with two vocalists on this new EP, bringing back his famous synth arps to great effect.

First up is ‘Transit 2.2’, a club-focused track with bristling arpeggios riding up through the mix. The bright, sleek synth stabs further ramp the energy levels as the technoid drums power along this full flavor and emotive cut. Brazil-born but Berlin-based Terr, aka Daniela Caldellas, is at the heart of contemporary disco thanks to her innovative and indelible sounds on labels like Phantasy, Correspondent and Permanent Vacation. Here she remixes with her usual signature style, layering in dark, searching bass loops and making the drums march to her own bristling beat. Twitchy synth modulations and filtered vocals bring texture to a perfectly shadowy workout. Then comes the superb ‘XoX’ ft. Michelle Manetti a twitchy and paranoid cut that fuses tech and minimal into a physical yet cosmic new sound. The intriguing synth patterns keep you guessing as gurgling bass, and Manetti’s steamy vocal sounds bring the human sound. Last of all is ‘Breath Werk’ ft. Alice Killme, a crisp tech house stomper with squelchy bass and scintillating percussion. The snappy beat is overloaded with classic cowbells, roaming pads, and Alice Killme’s dehumanised vocals. It calls to mind the best of Tyrant and is perfect 4 am dance floor material. This EP marks a solid end to another big year for Hammer.

Release Date: 09/12/2022

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