12serene - membrane

I had the honour of linking with 12serene on my last tape but I know he knows how much I’m a fan of him. To my understanding this is one of his only full length efforts so far, dropping loosies and links with various great rappers and beatmakers across the globe, as well as dropping an awesome drum kit I pull from all the time. Released through Birmingham’s Everything is Perfect Records, membrane seems to capture a snapshot of so much of what makes 12serene’s beats ooze both soul and electronics, equally punchy and glitchy but always capturing your attention when switching from one moment to the next. There’s a range of moods on display but each beat feels evocative in its own way, like the nocturnal night walk of ‘2’ or the keleidescopic hall of mirrors you get lost in on ‘6’ with nakin, which sounds like they flipped the audio from a ‘dead mall liminal space’ video. 12serene’s drums are always driving with full popping kicks and metallic blips of hats and percussion which always pair up interestingly against the sample, always seemingly automating the snare to where it might hit twice or expel some kind of reverb to make it feel like it has a life of its own. With some moments feeling elastic and others skin tight, membrane might be a short and sweet experience but one that I keep picking up new quirks from every time I press play.

KEY BEAT: 3 x garcon d’or - wading in tape hiss, the rolling kicks and brief crunchy snares provide a nice backdrop for such bittersweet sombre vocals, each keyboard chord striking right on the one to make you want to keep listening forever on loop.