EP Review: No Sleep ‘Til… New Zealand

Wellington-based drum and bass duo, The Upbeats, have been steadily carving out a place for themselves in the dance music scene both in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas. Perhaps because of the increased international gigs coming their way, The Upbeats, in what I assume is a generous and potentially cheeky nod to the Beastie Boys, launched their No Sleep ‘Til… E.P. series with their No Sleep ‘Til… Japan and Iceland EP in 2018. That EP involved collaborations with artists Noisia, Goth-Trad, DJ Kentaro, Emperor and Culture Shock.

Now, in 2020, it’s our own little slice of heaven getting its own No Sleep ‘Til… entry with No Sleep ‘Til… New Zealand. Featuring scene legends Shapeshifter on three of the four tracks, and the always impressive Tiki Taane paired with fresh-talent Workforce on the fourth, this EP aims to capture the sensation, sounds, and inspirations found at home. And this will feel close to many kiwi’s hearts and speak to their own lived experiences within Aotearoa.

Dripping with the sensations of the kiwi summer, resplendent with sweaty, music festivals and chilled out outdoor shows, No Sleep ‘Til… New Zealand is a fascinating combination of the best of all of these artists. Breakneck beats, emotive synths, massive bass, and stunning vocals dominate this collection of four bangers, which effortlessly commands the listeners attention. This is not background music, instead this fights itself to the foreground where it demands to be turned up loud and actively listened to. I can testify that, in my experience, the louder it’s played, the better!

My personal favourite track, the instrumental Nautilus, is a beautiful display of The Upbeats’ mastery of building tension with little release. Its careful combination of elements makes for a deep, immersive soundscape experience. Brief pauses are employed throughout to incredible effect, reigniting the energy in the track frequently. Nautilus plays with listener expectations wonderfully, maintaining intrigue throughout.

Collaborations can often feel strange, like one collaborator’s voice was louder or style was stronger and literally just pulled the other party along with them. However, this is not the case here. No Sleep ‘Til… New Zealand is cohesive, pulling the best from all collaborators in what feels like the true creation of something new, something that couldn’t exist without everyone involved. Very cool!