Stefan Z – Removed EP

Canadian label My Favorite Robot Records turns to a local talent in the form of Vancouver’s Stefan Z for their next EP which sees him serve up three stunning cuts that are sure to become essential club tracks in the coming months.

Before now, Rhombus label head Stefan Z has put his life long obsession with music to good use with standout releases on labels such as Resopal Shallware as well as MFRR, where he dropped his chart topping and heavily supported “No Words” to great acclaim in 2013. Also a classically trained musician and Vangelis enthusiast, he has a mature and musical sound that perfectly fits on this most accomplished label.

Up first is the brilliant ‘Removed (For A Moment)’ which has a groaning bassline and spritely chords all backed by a bustling and bristling atmosphere. It’s sparse but moody, balanced yet driven, and is a seductively subtle groove as a result.

Next is ‘Disappearing,’ an evocative track that comes deep from outer space. It has crackling static, electronic stabs and filtered vocals all making for a slightly urgent and dystopian house vibe that really captures the imagination and transports you to another world in terrific fashion.

Lastly, the expertly shadowy ‘Believe’ is a more thumping, firmly rooted number with slow techno kicks, big, fat, reverb rich synths and a heavyweight sense of groove all run through with glowing metallic pads and an eerie sense of late night menace.

This is another carefully crafted EP that manages to resonate both physically and mentally and is a fine bit of work from both label and artist as a result.