From its deep, chunky bass hits to R&B singer Kelela's sky-scraping vocal melisma up top, every inch of recent Kingdom single "Bankhead" sounds meticulously considered—even the spaces between his propulsive, snaking beats. It's a pretty perfect first foray into summery vocal pop for the Los Angeles-based producer and Fade to Mind labelhead, and though you probably couldn't ask for a hookier opening track on his new, self-released EP, what's amazing is just how well he's able to maintain the painstakingly crafted momentum across the next six tracks, even when it sidesteps into darker, more techno-distopian territory. Stream Vertical XL in full right here, and pick up a copy via Fade to Mind.
Stream: Kingdom, Vertical XL EP
