One of the most characteristically unique electronic producers to emerge from Dublin’s burgeoning scene in the last few years was Faws. Over two EPs in 2012, the music released under the name by Frankie Grimes was predominantly minimal late-night laid back electronica with jazz, soul and R&B influences. There were a lot more people making this kind of chilled out downtempo electronic music when Ninja Tune were at their height and the modern production methods employed meant that the music of Faws had a modern edge.
Where some of those tracks sampled Whitney Houston, Tom Waits and unidentified vocals, the latest EP from Faws Free Samples, frames the three-tracks on samples from recognisable tracks. ‘Your Body’ features vocals from ‘Thinking About Your Body’ by Bobby McFerrin set to a percussive stomp and warm synths. Jazzy piano takes us exotically towards Cuba via the Buena Vista Social Club ‘Chan Chan’ sample while ‘Ghetto Lover’ has cozy treated fingersnaps and meandering bright chords and uses an unidentified sample singing the title to tie together the song’s burning atmospherics.
A fine re-introduction to Faws, even though it comes across as a thematic exercise.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
I’m happy to note that he’s accepting optional payments for his new EP. I’ll happily pay for this stunning, chilled music.