MACCA, MELINKI — Dark Soul EP

Macca & Melinki – Dark Soul EP arrives on Fokuz Recordings as catalogue FOKUZ098RP, a 12-inch vinyl that delves into the shadowy terrain of drum & bass. Issued on 5 April 2022, the repress showcases a four-track EP that highlights the duo’s darker production instincts, offering a compact yet potent statement for the genre. Within the Fokuz Recordings roster, Dark Soul EP precedes a series of later releases slated for 2026, including the “Falling In Love EP” (93HHS01), Leniz’s “Within Our Realms Vol 1” (FOKUZ398V), Melinki’s own “Harrow Dub EP” (FOKUZ388V), and DJ Koncept’s “Pacific Perception LP 2x12″” (FOKUZ415V). This placement underscores the EP’s role as an early entry that sets a tone later explored by the label’s subsequent output. Side A opens with “OK”, a track that immediately asserts a brooding atmosphere, its relentless rhythm paving the way for the deeper currents of the record. The follow-up, “Subsurface”, sustains the momentum while drawing the listener further beneath the surface, its groove acting as a bridge to the B-side’s centerpiece. On side B, the title track “Dark Soul” deepens the nocturnal vibe, delivering a weighty low-end that commands attention on the dancefloor and invites extended mixing. Closing the EP, “Music Is Life” lifts the mood slightly, offering a rhythmic resolution that still retains the overall intensity, making it a fitting end-point for a set that favours darker textures. For Macca and Melinki, Dark Soul EP sits between their collaborative output and Melinki’s forthcoming “Harrow Dub EP”, which will appear on the same label later in 2026. The EP’s concise format allows the producers to explore a focused, shadow-laden aesthetic without the dilution that can accompany longer releases, reinforcing their reputation for delivering tightly-crafted drum & bass statements. In the current underground landscape, the record’s emphasis on moodier, bass-driven grooves aligns with a resurgence of darker drum & bass in clubs and specialist radio shows. Its succinct tracklist makes it a useful tool for DJs seeking to inject a brooding edge into a set, whether as a deep-cut opener, a tension-building mid-set element, or a closing statement that leaves the floor lingering on the beat. Collectors will appreciate the EP’s clear articulation of a specific sonic corner within the genre, as well as its connection to the broader Fokuz catalogue. The release is pressed on a standard 12-inch vinyl, matching the format expectations of drum & bass aficionados who value the tactile and sonic qualities of analog playback. Macca & Melinki – Dark Soul EP, Fokuz Recordings, catalogue FOKUZ098RP, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Macca & Melinki – OK A2. Macca & Melinki – Subsurface B1. Macca & Melinki – Dark Soul B2. Macca & Melinki – Music Is Life