EP Review: FTSE – FTSE1

FTSE has finally put out his debut EP, FTSE1, after nine months of leaving people drooling over the mesmerizing beats of tracks like ‘SIRVYVIN’ and ‘CNT HLP MSLF’. The Midlands-based producer – whose real name is Sam Manville – knows how to captivate his listeners and send them into a staring daze, all through the utter power stored up in the variation of clattering and subtler beats, and whirling samples he uses. Not to mention his almost spoken vocal husking over it all.

It’s not all his vocal work though, in true producer fashion, he’s brought some friends along to give his pipes a bit of a rest. ‘Tidal Wave’ features Saint Saviour – who featured on Groove Armada’s 2010 album Black Light. Her sultry voice provides a new extension of FTSE’s sound as she saunters over the dud beats in the verse in an almost spoken manner, sounding like the perfect counterpart to FTSE. The track erupts with pounding drums before returning to its original wandering state. ‘Float’ has the graceful R&B vocal of London-based Kenzie May, who has previously featured alongside Sub Focus. Her voice sits comfortably over the deep bass-driven downtempo beat as her lingering vocals tackle the sensory words, “I felt it though my fingers, electric shocks through skin and bones. Down the spine it tingles and I float”.

“I just wanna make you smile, you got so much shine”, murmers Manville as he too has a stab at emotional, wooing words. ‘So Much Shine’ comes to life with shooting synth loops and echoing wobbles. While ‘Consoom’ ends the four-track EP with a developing series of brash beats and oriental-sounding strums, which lighten the track’s dour tone as Manville repeats, “Did you get what you wanted?”

FTSE1 is a wonderful introduction to FTSE’s world: streaming weighty moods throughout and leaving a wallowing trail of thoughtful words and sculpted production. Let’s hope there’s a FTSE2 coming at us in the near future.

– Hayley Fox

FTSE1 is available now on Lucky Number.