So if you listen to deep / tech house regularly you would no doubt be familiar with Guy J. This talented Israeli has been releasing flawless melodic music since he was signed up to John Digweed’s Bedrock label some 3 years ago. The two albums he has released, most recently ‘1,000 Words’, have also been undeniably hypnotic pieces of artistry. Play them with a good sound system, and you’ll be hard pressed to think this ‘Guy’ doesnt have talent.

However, when he came to play at Melbourne recently at Roxanne Parlour, another side of him came out. One that wasn’t like the Guy J we listen to on our computer speakers. This one was….different.

Don’t get me wrong, he came out with all guns blazing. In terms of keeping the dance floor full, Guy did a great job. The crowd spared no energy showing their enthusiasm. But having said that, the dance floor itself wasn’t necessarily that big anyway. Roxanne has the capacity to gather around 1,000 people, and the night certainly did not have that many revellers. The side rooms were also empty for the most part of the night.

The main disappointment was the lack of any variety or mood change whatsoever. He played relentless tech bangers over and over again, most of which sounded exactly the same as the other. There was hardly a moment that would make someone jerk there head around and say ‘Wow, this sounds different!’. Maybe for an hour you can get away with playing the same song over and over again, but for three whole hours? After a while it becomes monotonous, hearing the same bassline, tweaked slightly to warrant yet another massive bass drop.

But you can look at it in two ways. Guy J pleased the people who wanted big, hands in the air, tech bangers. The party was definitely rocking, and those that wanted to party did so with full force. But there were some who were left yearning the emotion or ingenuity he is known for in his music. I might just be a little cynical, but it just wasn’t what I expected.