Optimum is Malcolm Chen, a new producer from South East London. He’s collaborated with Ikonika recently but Planet Mu are very happy to be releasing his first solo 12″.
The lead track “Max Power” lives up to its name, mixing tight electro-soca drums with a barrage of ravey riffs that build up with strange transporting noises, creating an almost unbearable, driving intensity without ever having to reach for the wobbly bass or other cliches.

On side B “Crash Riddim” runs brazen, interlocking arpeggiated melodies which build and reduce against each other over a tight old-school electro drum beat while “Lily” is a soulful number with driving melodic bass, under lush waves of cold angular chords and tough grimey claps and bass kicks.

01 Max Power
02 Crash Riddim
03 Lily