German DJ/producer Dana Ruh has enjoyed a pretty staggering time of it recently, a fact that’s emphasised by her debut LP, which came out last year on Jus Ed’s always reliable Underground Quality imprint. A consistent producer, much of Ruh’s appeal lies in her almost effortless ability to veer between sounds and genres, and hers is a sound palette that’s nothing if not vast and refined. For her latest, Ruh returns to her home label, Brouqade, for an EP that reminds us of her sonic abilities. First up on the three-tracker is “Case Sensitive”. Full of simmering snares and a floating bed of synths that’s sure to take the breath away, it also features a whiplash like effect that gives the track a real muscular presence. Dark and dexterous but also imbued with just the right amount of light, it’s the sound of a lady who’s really settled on a particular way of working recently. Middle track “I’m Surprised What’s Real” is another track whereby Ruh’s penchant for future-gazing pastures comes to the fore. More ‘techno’ than its predecessor, it flows at a really nice pace courtesy of its strident kicks and a sense of great mystery that abounds throughout. Finally we have the title track, “Yardang”, which is the most off-kilter of the bunch. Sticky and humid, it’s a grinding tool that’ll cause bemusement on the floor but also help lift the night to higher spheres. A real rollercoaster of a listen that calls on numerous sounds, Ruh’s latest is another chapter in an increasingly impressive discography.
