VARIOUS — Refried & Tested 002

Various – Refried & Tested 002 Southern Fried, ECB569V, 12inch Vinyl, deep house – arrives as the second instalment of the label’s Refried & Tested series, a three-track EP aimed squarely at peak-time festival slots. The release leans into bass-heavy, attitude-driven deep house, promising relentless dancefloor momentum from start to finish. Within Southern Fried’s 2026 output, Refried & Tested 002 follows a string of heavyweight collaborations: Armand Van Helden’s “I Want Your Soul” (ECB491V) and Fatboy Slim’s “Funk Drunk” (ECB562) both arrived earlier this year, as did Luca Lozano’s “Bop (Rad Feeling)” (ECB563V) and Shee’s “Rosebud” (ECB554V). The new EP continues the label’s focus on club-ready energy while showcasing fresh pairings of long-time allies and newcomers. Side A opens with Elado’s “Don’t Stare”, a bass-heavy, swagger-laden cut that immediately stakes a claim on the dancefloor. Its muscular low end and confident groove set the tone for the record’s festival-oriented intent. The second track, Jordan Peak’s remix of the same piece, expands the original’s impact, reshaping it into a “whopping” peak-time weapon that heightens the energy while preserving the track’s core attitude. Side B shifts to a collaborative vibe with lau.ra and Bag Raiders delivering “back2back”. The pairing brings a fresh burst of dancefloor drive, matching the EP’s overarching swagger with a punchy, forward-moving rhythm that keeps the momentum alive. Closing the record, Van Damn’s “HIT YOU” sustains the bass-driven thrust, ensuring the compilation’s energy does not fade before the final bar. In the context of the Refried & Tested series, this EP deepens Southern Fried’s reputation for curating festival-ready deep house, building on the momentum of earlier releases while introducing new voices. The combination of Elado’s original, a high-impact remix, a cross-artist collaboration, and a final bass-heavy closer reflects the label’s knack for balancing familiarity with fresh twists in contemporary underground dance music. For DJs, the record offers a clear narrative arc: the opening track works as a powerful opener for a set, the Jordan Peak remix provides a heightened peak-time climax, “back2back” serves as a versatile bridge, and “HIT YOU” can close a high-energy segment or transition into a deeper groove. Collectors will appreciate the concise three-track format that captures a moment of festival-focused production on a single 12-inch. The release is pressed as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of Southern Fried’s recent output and delivering the analog warmth expected by deep house enthusiasts. Various – Refried & Tested 002, Southern Fried, ECB569V, 12inch Vinyl, 4 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Elado – Don't Stare A2. Elado – Don’t Stare (Jordan Peak Remix) B1. lau.ra, Bag Raiders – back2back B2. Van Damn – HIT YOU