VASE — Usiq EP

Vase – USIQ EP is the debut release on DSP Sound, catalog DSP001, issued as a 12-inch clear vinyl. The Berlin-based label, run by Jorge Camacho, focuses on post-rave footwork, 2-step and ambient filtered through abstract electronics, and this EP sets a stark tone with its five tracks that blend dismantled breakbeats, discordant synth harmonies and ghostly vocal fragments processed through custom Max/MSP sequencing. Although no other releases are listed for DSP Sound, the label’s remit is clear from the EP’s own aesthetic: a raw, effects-soaked studio approach that hovers between half-remembered dancefloors and a more contemplative listening room. The material positions the record as a striking opening statement for the imprint’s experimental agenda. Side A opens with “Introverse”, a brief entry point that establishes the abstract terrain with a fragmented rhythmic pulse that hints at the more complex structures to follow. “Seon” continues the journey, extending the dismantled breakbeat language while layering discordant synth textures that maintain a hypnotic forward motion. Side B begins with “Edis Tuo”, a track that deepens the experimental groove, allowing the Max/MSP-driven sequencing to create shifting patterns that reward patient listening. “3/2 Step” follows, its title suggesting a rhythmic play that sits between the two-step tradition and an off-grid metric feel, providing a tension-filled bridge toward the EP’s climax. The final cut, “Black Sloth Metal feat. Xenia Reaper”, benefits from co-production by Xenia Reaper; the result is a darker, more abrasive soundscape where the broken beats and warped synths reach their most intense expression, offering a powerful closing statement. Within Vase’s output, the USIQ EP demonstrates a continuation of the artist’s interest in abstract electronic structures, previously explored under aliases such as Downstairs People, Games and Department on labels like Index:Records, Opal Tapes and Saplings. This release translates that studio experimentation onto vinyl, reinforcing Vase’s reputation for pushing the boundaries of rhythm and texture. For DJs, the EP supplies a palette of unconventional grooves that can be sliced and re-sequenced in a set, especially the fragmented rhythms of “Introverse” and “Seon” for intro or transition moments, while “Edis Tuo” and “3/2 Step” afford deeper, more sustained sections for late-night decks. “Black Sloth Metal” offers a dramatic peak suitable for closing or for creating a stark contrast in a mixed set. Collectors will appreciate the limited run of 150 copies on clear vinyl, which captures the EP’s ethereal aesthetic in a tangible format. The record is pressed as a 12-inch clear vinyl, limited to 150 copies, reflecting the label’s commitment to a tactile, visual presentation that mirrors the music’s crystalline yet abstract character. Vase – USIQ EP, DSP Sound, DSP001, 12-inch clear vinyl, five tracks. Tracklist: A1. Vase – Introverse A2. Vase – Seon B1. Vase – Edis Tuo B2. Vase – 3/2 Step B3. Vase – Black Sloth Metal feat. Xenia Reaper