Dial Records boss Lawrence makes a welcome return to Smallville in early 2024 with a fresh four-tracker EP ‘Gravity Hill’.
Peter Kersten, better known to most as Lawrence, has been at the forefront of underground house and techno for decades now. His Dial imprint, co-founded alongside Carsten Jost, has grown to become a north star for many seeking out raw, emotive and understated electronic music and Lawrence’s own productions follow a similar path, finding a home on many beloved labels beyond Dial such as Kompakt, Mule Musiq, Ghostly International, Giegling, Pampa and of course Smallville where he returns here. Peter was also one of the three founding members to launch the Smallville shop and record label back in 2005 alongside Stella Plazonja and Julius Steinhoff who now takes the reins.
Title-track ‘Gravity Hill’ opens the project and perfectly sets the tone with Lawrence’s distinct atmospheric haze of keys, chords and pads billowing atop swaying bass tones and crisp drums. ‘Beaver’ follows next and edges into dubbed out realms with expansive stab delays, rounded subs, modulating percussive flutters and a robust rhythmic drive.
‘The Swamp’ then leads the B-side, diving into a deeper territory via airy Rhodes melodies and subtly unfurling pads, intertwined with organic percussion and a jazz tinged bass line. ‘Stargazer’ then concludes the package and shifts back to a more straight, dance floor-oriented feel via a twitchy acid bass, circling resonant synth licks, hypnotic textures and a swinging drum groove.
The ‘Gravity Hill’ EP lands on Smallville Records from March 1st, 2024. Pre order here.
