A2 – Aiden Francis – Future Proof [DUALITY5]

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It’s safe to say that Aiden Francis has already cemented himself as a definitive one-to-watch for 2023. A triple threat of purging EP’s with Gestalt, Magic Carpet and now Duality Trax has got the production momentum in full swing. He’s getting about too and played at a string of MCR parties including FREAK alongside the mighty Eris Drew, High Hoops Pride Weekender, Earthly Pleasures and is a regular at Eastern Bloc. His arrival on Duality Trax is perfectly timed as it’s a label that has a keen ear for young rising talent and shares the same lust for the infectious proggy sound as much as he does. Label and artist are still standing at the fore-front of their journeys in the scene, but this EP only solidifies the quality output that we can now expect from them and anticipate for more.

Aiden provides the ‘Serotonin on Tap’. The EP injects a trio of radiatibg productions with varying intentions. There’s a high-octane crown jewel to spear-head the lead track on the A-side that’s destined to cause some serious damage across the globe. His other two offerings transcend into dreamy, outer-worldly territories to fully remonstrate his ability to blend rocket fuelled bassline-heavy tracks with others that hit the melodic and open-minded sweet-spot instead. Italian DJ ‘Marisa’ slips onto the flip with a viporous UKG twist on the A1 that’s not to be messed with.

‘Plastic Fantasy’ (A1) is Aiden’s world and we’re all living in it, you can tell it’s the kind of weapon that he’s secretly wanting to unleash for some time. It’s got everything you’d want from a true peak-time, euphoric sweat-inducer. Pace and prowess in spades, energy and colour exudes in force from every fragment. We seriously think that this one has the potential to hit future iconic status.

A deep-sea escapade into the oceanic mind is up next. ‘Future Proof’ (A2) reverts into a pure and relaxative mind-state, with clear intentions to build atmosphere, cool the air and illuminate the senses. Aiden creates a pool of lucid frequencies and they bounce eloquently with some tantalisingly cool pads, futuristic synths and deftly subtle percs., ‘FP’ acts as a perfect mid-set cooler and set riser for the punters to awaken the mood, feel at one with the music and prepare for some wilder antics towards the peak-time territories.

Aiden’s last injection to the EP is a weighty and ice-cold down-tempo encounter. You could hear ‘Aquamarine’ (B1) at any time of a set but for us it’s definitely got the magic of a enigmatic closer when smiles are on faces and the terrace is burning. Radiating synths and pads breathe an allure into the mix, there’s an effortlessly hopeful nature about the whole vibe that will get the dance-floor dreaming about the future. The drums feel tight and closely inter-locked, subtly breaksy, with juicy hats to propel some 2-steppy motions. There’s more than enough there to keep the energy levels bouncing right till the end.

Matisa completes the package with a menacingly dogged remix of ‘Plastic Fantasy’ (B2) that take’s no prisoners and closes the EP with sharp edge. Her speedy G refix goes full tilt on being bass-heavy, slapping down  darting bassline that takes full control and fully grits, billowing and coursing between  the stompy and razer-sharp shifty drums. Gunfingers at the ready

Stream our premiere of the A2 ‘Futureproof’ below:

Aiden Francis: https://bit.ly/2GVhxYN

Pre-order: https://bit.ly/41dIVXp