Matt Rowan is a name familiar to many as one of the leading lights in Australian progressive house. Robbie Lowe is also no stranger to most, having carved out an enviable position as one of Australia’s leading tech-progressive DJs. This however is the first time we have seen Mr Lowe’s name on the cover of an original production. The pairing of these two is a tantalising prospect for lovers of Australian prog, so it was with much anticipation that I slipped the single into the car’s stereo and turned the volume up.

The Suburbian EP is a brief, flirty exercise in bouncy, classy house music. The first track Dog Paddle is constructed around a couple of simple melodic hooks. If anything, this track is distinctive for its lack of layers. A punchy synth line and an energetic bass alternate over a solid house beat. While this is perhaps an exercise in elegant simplicity, it does make for a somewhat indistinctive cut.

On the flip is the much funkier outing Boob Tube. This tune wastes no time getting into the groove with a surprising amount of electro and funk flying through the left and right channels. Even though it is buried deep in the mix, there is enough of a hint of a cowbell here to even get the most jaded punter bouncing. There is something very playful about this tune – it manages to traverse its way through funk, tech and nu-disco while having an undeniably progressive aesthetic.

This release again demonstrates the burgeoning production talents we have in Australia. This is not exactly the sound I would have expected from these two as this collaboration lands squarely in house territory. It is also a surprise to see these two names on a Hussle release, but if anything, this is a good indication of its quality and its firm focus on the dancefloor.