Two of the biggest names in UK house, Mark Brown and Micky Slim have teamed up for the new release You Know What’s Up, out now locally on Hussle. The release is home to two versions of the track, the Brown Edit and the Slim Edit. Better known perhaps for their solo work, together the boys have created what seems to be a quick collaboration that’s ‘purpose built’ for big summer events, rather than making something with newer sounds to impress good music fans.

The introduction seems promising, with a tight and techy arrangement of original sounding hits and percussion that flows along nicely. However, it is followed by a weak bassline that lacks any real power. Once the vocals are introduced, all hope is lost. They are a poor and plain attempt to mimic TV Rock’s epic Flaunt It, and they’re built up by a cheesy, rolling snare line that is accompanied by a siren like ascending swell. Overall, it gives the track a strong and tacky Euro house feel. After the build up, the Brown Edit returns to its boring self and then eventually dies off into the original format, meaning it lacks any form of substance or thrill whatsoever.

The Slim Edit, although quite similar, has a small amount more presence, but it still doesn’t pack the required punch. The bassline is thicker and louder, but there’s no groove just the same basic melody and the same tinny snare roles. There is a short bridging melody that has a groovy structure to it, but it ends nearly as quickly as it begun. Although this release certainly won’t appeal to true lovers of electro house, and is perhaps what causes the style to be mocked by so many, You Know What’s Up will still get the crowds dancing and screaming across the globe.

Fortunately, this collab is not an indication of the boys’ productions skills when they go solo, as their individual work is of a much higher quality and it’s respected by many labels and listeners. Perhaps as solo artists is how the two should remain..?