Nick Sinna – Black Rose – (Prime Numbers)

Trus Me and his Prime Numbers crew have long been experts at picking out up-and-coming talent, and though this release marks his second such outing on the label, Nick Sinna’s latest is the sort of triumph that’ll doubtlessly introduce him to an entire new audience. Sinna, lest you be unaware, is a Manchester native and a man who’s most definitely preoccupied with the more thought-provoking side of the electronic music spectrum.

The EP kicks off with the excellent title track that is ‘Black Rose’. Much like the best Prime Numbers releases, it sticks out from the pack thanks to its penchant for dealing in different sounds, and this one makes smart use of an electro-centric bassline and a host of swirling synths and ominous vocal flourishes that stay stuck inside your head long after the track has played out in full.

On the remix front we have Vril, a man who’s been causing quite a commotion in underground circles recently thanks to his Dystopian affiliations and his astounding live sets. Vril works wonders on the original, transforming it into an intricate and relentless techno track that’ll leave listeners in a spin. Elsewhere we have ‘What List?’, another track that’s notable for its funk-induced motifs, before the final roll of the dice is another Sinna original, this time in the form of ‘No Rules’, a track that’s every bit as relentless as its title leads on. All things told, this is another stunning outing from the Prime numbers camp.

5 out of 5

Reviewed by Ian Fleming