SIBLA — The Seekers

Sibla – The Seekers opens the third entry of Soul Ex Machina’s SEMPLATE series, catalogue SEMPLATE003, on 12-inch vinyl. The dubstep-oriented EP draws from the genre’s early foundations while a pronounced jazz sensibility informs its rhythmic and harmonic choices, offering a nuanced bridge between sound-system weight and contemporary musicality. Within the SEMPLATE chronology, The Seekers follows the 2025 release Clones (SEMPLATE002) by Evasion & Conman and the 2024 Roots Of Dub (SEMPLATE001) by Echoboy. Both earlier outings explored dub-laden textures, positioning this Sibla EP as a continuation of the label’s commitment to deep, bass-heavy explorations that remain open to melodic refinement. Side A opens with “The Seekers”. The track unfolds with rolling, jazz-inflected drums that sit beneath a deep, resonant low end. Its spacious arrangement grants the listener room to absorb a dim, immersive atmosphere that develops with patience and quiet confidence. The groove’s measured progression makes it suitable for early-set moments where a DJ wishes to lay a foundation of weight without overwhelming the floor. Side B begins with “Paper Bags”. Here the mood shifts toward harsher textures and a subtle dissonance that adds tension while retaining the EP’s overall sense of balance. The restrained percussion provides a skeletal framework that allows the track’s darker timbres to breathe, offering a perfect transition piece for moments when a set needs to pivot toward a more introspective or experimental tone. The record concludes with “Pace”, a stepper-driven composition that settles into a driving rhythm. Flowing grooves and precise basslines intertwine with understated melodic fragments, delivering a focused, purposeful finish. Its kinetic energy makes it an effective closing or peak-time selection, capable of re-engaging the dancefloor after the more contemplative moments earlier in the EP. In the context of Sibla’s output, The Seekers stands as a clear statement of artistic intent: to marry the raw, sub-bass intensity of early dubstep with the harmonic richness of jazz. Within Soul Ex Machina’s catalogue, the EP reinforces the label’s trajectory of pairing weighty bass music with sophisticated compositional approaches, echoing the exploratory spirit found on the earlier SEMPLATE releases. For DJs, the record offers three distinct tools. “The Seekers” provides a spacious, low-end-heavy canvas ideal for building tension in the opening of a set. “Paper Bags” supplies a darker, texturally rich interlude that can be used to shift the mood or introduce a more experimental segment. “Pace” delivers a rhythmic drive suited for peak moments or as a decisive closing statement. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive sequencing and the way each track contributes to a narrative arc that balances weight and nuance. The release is presented as a 12-inch vinyl EP, adhering to the format specifications supplied by the label. Its three-track structure and careful mastering aim to preserve the depth of the low end while maintaining clarity across the dynamic range. Sibla – The Seekers, Soul Ex Machina, catalogue SEMPLATE003, 12-inch vinyl, three tracks. Tracklist: A1. Sibla – The Seekers B1. Sibla – Paper Bags B2. Sibla – Pace