JABU — Severn Flood Plain / Where You Run To

Jabu – Severn Flood Plain / Where You Run To opens the Six of Swords release SWORD04, a 12-inch vinyl that finds the Bristol trio navigating a fresh post-punk edge while keeping the dub-laden sensibility that defines their output. The double A-side arrives after a two-year silence, offering four exclusive cuts that hint at the material being prepared for their 2027 LP. Within Six of Swords’ recent chronology, SWORD04 follows the earlier SWORD03LP “Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels (Versions)” by Civilistjävel! X Mayssa Jallad, positioning Jabu’s record as the label’s latest statement in a line that balances experimental beats with melodic depth. The release sits comfortably alongside the label’s penchant for genre-blurring, downbeat and ambient hip-hop textures. A1 “Severn Flood Plain” pivots toward a jagged, up-tempo post-punk feel, driven by a persistent drum-machine pulse that recalls the intensity of Joy Division while the vocal echo and tremolo guitar evoke a vintage slap-back aesthetic. The track’s urgency sets a stark contrast to the subsequent material, making it a strong opener for a set that needs a tension-building moment. A2 “Fallow Land” continues the momentum, extending the rhythmic drive and providing a bridge that deepens the dub-inflected atmosphere established on the A-side. On the flip side, B1 “Where You Run To” drops the tempo into a languorous, sensual sprawl. The plaintive vocal line glides over a stripped, metronomic backdrop, offering an ethereal counterpoint that works as a reflective interlude in a DJ’s set. B2 “Hideaway” sustains this mood, allowing the listener to linger in the track’s dreamy ambience before the record’s final fade. The two A-side cuts present a more urgent, anxiety-laden energy, while the B-side pair provides a spacious, yearning atmosphere, giving the record a balanced dynamic range that suits both peak-time intensity and late-night introspection. Jabu’s process remains rooted in dub, with Birthmark’s extended mixes further expanding the sonic palette, and the contributions of cellist Josh Horsley and multi-instrumentalist Will Yates (Memotone) adding textural depth throughout. In the context of Jabu’s discography, the double A-side follows the 2025 “Sleep Heavy” on BLACKEST EVER BLACK and the 2024 “A Soft and Gatherable Star LP” on Do You Have Peace?, marking a continuation of their evolution from hip-hop and dubstep foundations toward a guitar-driven, dream-pop approach. The current release signals a shift toward a sharper, more rhythmically driven aesthetic while retaining the dub-centric undercurrent that has been a hallmark of their work. For DJs, the record offers two distinct moods: the driving pulse of “Severn Flood Plain” and “Fallow Land” can anchor a set’s peak, while “Where You Run To” and “Hideaway” provide spacious textures ideal for mixing into more contemplative moments. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive sequencing and the presence of extended dub versions that showcase the trio’s collaborative ethos with Birthmark. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, presenting the four tracks in extended form that respects the band’s live-mixing tradition and the label’s focus on high-quality analog formats. Jabu – Severn Flood Plain / Where You Run To, Six of Swords, catalogue SWORD04, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Jabu – 1: Severn Flood Plain A2. Jabu – 2: Fallow Land A3. Jabu – 3: Where You Run To A4. Jabu – 4: Hideaway