Side-by-Side: Early 2015 Releases on Detroit’s Chambray Records

I’ve posted about Chambray Records on Decoder before; they’re one of the Detroit electronic scene’s best-kept secrets, and everything they put out is quality. Much of their releases are digital-only at first, but the best ones eventually make it to vinyl, and they’re always worth checking out. Here’s a rundown of the 3 12″s they’re released this year.

Arson is the second EP by Snakepiss, and it continues the low-budget horror feel of his first, but adds a little more of an electro flavor. “Our Love” attaches creepy voices to a dark, repetitive techno track, and “King” is closer to the illbient-like sound of Toil (his first EP). Warped, dusty closing track “Wind/Water” perfectly sums up the dark, sinister mood of the EP. Most of the tracks run into each other with no breaks between them, giving the release a sense of continuity and making it feel like switching between scenes of a movie rather than just listening to a collection of tracks.

Lottery of Life is the long-awaited second EP by Super Public, who really should be quite legendary by now. The three tracks here are simply sublime, city-lights Detroit techno, with “Music Is My Jam” having more of an expressive machine-funk sound, and “Why Are We Whispering” being a bit more low-key and hushed, with an insistent beat which simmers up a bit towards the end.

Finally, there’s the 12″ debut by Duane The Brand New Dog. Duane Gholston used to be Duane The Teenage Weirdo, and he used to make synth-glam inspired by Grace Jones, David Bowie, and Pokemon. He gained a local following, then Jack White released a 7″ by him, and then apparently he signed to XL Recordings — who wanted to keep him from being The Teenage Weirdo forever. He didn’t release anything or play any shows for a year. Now he’s back in action, and he’s revamped his persona, calling himself The Brand New Dog. His new stuff’s way more housey and (slightly) less weird than before. Think a young Prince singing over early ’90s house and you’re on the right track. Super Public’s Brett Cimbalik kicks off the EP with a funky house remix of the more minimal, stripped-down “Brand New Dog, Same Old Tricks” (which takes up all of the second side). “Beware of the Dog” is a little slower and a bit more hip-house, with Duane sorta-rapping about Casio kick drums and abandoning hi-fi, digital recording.

All of the above are available from Chambray Records.