(Future Classic/Inertia)

1. Useless
2. Swing Sixty
3. Useless (Random Factor Remix)

If there’s something I can’t harp on enough about its tracks with great basslines and melodies, but with poor drums that stop the tune from shakin’. Another great waste of an electronic tune is one with fantastic drum programming and terribly boring music. Gladly, it seems the Stick Figures share this same view and really know how to nail some late night dancefloor beats together with solid, throbbing electronic music.

That farty electronic bassline sound that we (as a clubbing community) can’t seem to get enough of is definitely at the forefront of this production, with enough other cool bits of electronic instrumentation – nicely slotted whips, bleeps and creeps – really stitch this together as a solid track. The mid-range grows and takes over leading into the breakdown, which is not a great, epic build up, but just a place holder in the tune before it hammers out of its peak. There’s some very subtle influences in this tune. The clicky drums remind me very much of a SWAG production while the bassline is tres Digitalism, and the other thick, post-acid sounds remind me of Thomas Schumacher’s “Heat it Up”.

Moving right along into a beautiful little deep tech house tune. ‘Swing Sixty’ once again features solid drum programming, with very subtle kicks and ticks to give this tune rhythm as well as plenty of space for the pads, strings and other hypnotic elements of the track. There’s a well timed progression to the tune. Deeper house is very hard to keep hypnotic without getting boring but the introduction of a partial acid line that slowly grows to the foreground of this track is really done nicely – a good slow burner.

Finally Mr Finlow (aka Random Factor) really has switched things up, down and around for his rework of ‘Useless’. Many of the elements and instrumentation remain, however the main hook of the original has been completely replaced with his interpretation. A simpler, more stomping drum section has been assigned which might be the undoing when stuck next to a far more repetitive melody than the original. There seems to be a greater focus on whizzes, sweeps and the bleepy creepy than the bassline in this tune. Being more of a bassline kinda DJ, this remix appealed less to me however it’s definitely worth a listen as I’m certain many lovers of electronic music will be digging this remix.

Fantastic work from our local lads, taking from the best yet remaining unique.