Space Me Out doesn't sound like the sort of thing I expect to hear from artists called Downtown Party Network but it is pretty glorious all the same. Far away from the jump-up party sounds their name suggest this Downtown Party Network track is a spectral and sunny electronic-influenced ballad.
Egle Sirvydyte's delicate vocals create a beautiful centre for this record, delicate as she lays down the verses and breathless and drenched in reverb as she repeats the track's title for the chorus. A warm, round four-four beat provides a little momentum but it is the friction of an electronic bass line and glistening piano that provide the real counter to those vocals. And it's pretty lovely.
Three remixes feature. First up is regular Needwant star Mario Basanov, whose work I have praised in the past even though he occasionally falters. Here he plays it clean - this is a version almost as laid back as the original, and whilst at times he layers in some slightly darker bass it still continues to respect the original. It's very tasteful, but given the quality of the source and Basanov's way with warm Balearic epics it feels a little... tame.
Musk's version is a little more raw, some deep bass and lots of reverb adding a little grit to the mix whilst the vocal is manipulated into a series of percussive cuts. It is clearly more of a club cut but still retains the feel of the original. The final mix comes from Berlin's Hannes Fischer, who gives the track an intelligent tech-house vibe, not far from a Luomo track. It is a considerably tighter version but retains a soulful feel, warm synths and electronic patterns adding some depth and body to the track.
A quality and refined take on electronic soul. Space Me Out is out on Silence Music now soon, and you will be able to buy the MP3 from Amazon.co.uk here [affiliate link]. Listen via Soundcloud below: