OUT NOW: James Welsh 'Standing / Slip' [PH59]

Since 2015, James Welsh’s contribution to Phantasy as Kamera has delivered a series of releases shrouded in mystery, injected with the personal energy of both a hardcore and club heritage. Two EPs, ‘Arc’ and ‘Ventoux’, set a distinct tone, with the latter complimented by head-turning remixes from artists such as George Fitzgerald, Throwing Snow, Truncate and Yaleesa Hall. Now, the key Phantasy artist emerges from the shadows under his own name, in order to continue his uncompromising musical journey.

Returning with a new, two-track EP, ‘Standing/Slip’ captures the finely tuned tension and euphoric release of Welsh’s sound in arguably its strongest form to date, showcasing not only the dancefloor mettle firmly established under his prior alias, but a new sense of wistfulness that coaxes his typically outstanding machine work into altogether more reflective territory.

‘Standing’ throws listeners headlong into Welsh’s formerly anonymous industrial complex, generating a churning, relentless rhythm offset with a dry female vocal that recalls the sardonic stance of vintage electroclash.

Following this, ‘Slip’ is an initially unexpectedly spectral diversion, transmitting a curious synth line into space, and receiving a choral, sombre frequency in return. Without losing it’s emotive qualities, the track succumbs to a hailstorm of Welsh’s sharp, potent drums, before collapsing in understated catharsis.

A. Standing
B. Slip

Buy the vinyl (with free download) from Phantasy / Juno / Phonica / Piccadilly / Rough Trade